Salinas CA vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salinas
161,993
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Springfield
33.6
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 33.6 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 3.8% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 1.4% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 5.6% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Springfield
$30,864
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $45,984 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $30,864 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 19.4% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 42.9% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 37.7% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 20.0% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.1% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | 45.6 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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