Salinas CA vs Santa Ana CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Santa Ana
23.2%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 91,535 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 42.9 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 23.2% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 1.4% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 16.4% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Santa Ana
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.1% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Salinas +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $865,610 | Salinas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 28.8% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Santa Ana
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Santa Ana
2388
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Santa Ana
20.7%
Santa Ana +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.7% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 20.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | 65.6°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while salinas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $751,711. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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