Salinas CA vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salinas
161,993
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.3 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 12.2% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 1.4% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 13.1% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $83,857 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.3% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 37.3% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.7% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.8% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | 39.2 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 31.1 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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