Salinas CA vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salinas
161,993
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Shreveport
36.5%
Shreveport +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 183,483 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.5 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 2.6% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 36.5% | Shreveport + |
| Black | 1.4% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.5% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 3.9% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Shreveport
$33,788
Shreveport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Shreveport
27.5%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $48,465 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $33,788 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 8.9% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 23.6% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 27.5% | Shreveport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 643 | Salinas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2824 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 43.1% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.6% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 20.1% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 19.1% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | 52.7 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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