Salinas CA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Stamford
31.8%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 135,806 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 38.2 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 31.8% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 1.4% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 28.1% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.9% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Stamford
$708,498
Stamford +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $708,498 | Stamford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | 53.2 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 30.1 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while stamford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $708,498. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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