Salinas CA vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salinas
161,993
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Spokane
2.7%
Spokane +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.2 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 6.1% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 1.4% | 2.7% | Spokane + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.9% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 7.8% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $65,745 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.0% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 14.6% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 35.3% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.6% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.5% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | 17.1 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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