Salinas CA vs St. Charles 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Salinas
21.8%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 71,542 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.9 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 4.2% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 1.4% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.4% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 7.7% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
St. Charles
22.7%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $55,578 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $31,499 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 18.7% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 22.7% | St. Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Salinas, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 35.9% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 18.4% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | St. Charles, MO | 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
Salinas +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | St. Charles, 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
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. St. Charles 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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