Salinas CA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 149,519 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 41.6 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 6.8% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.6% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 19.2% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 32.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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