Salinas CA vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Springfield
33.7
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Springfield
40.8%
Springfield +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Springfield
47.4%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 154,751 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 33.7 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 10.2% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 40.8% | Springfield + |
| Black | 1.4% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.8% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 47.4% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Salinas +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Springfield
19.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $51,339 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $27,054 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 8.2% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 25.3% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 19.7% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 39.6% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.8% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 21.1% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.5% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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