Salinas CA vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Salinas
21.8%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 102,866 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 33.9 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 8.9% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 1.4% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 17.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $52,512 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $29,511 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.0% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 22.6% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 39.7% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.2% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 20.3% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Salinas, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | 38.0 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. 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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