Salinas CA vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salinas
161,993
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.6 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 13.7% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 1.4% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.1% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 42.7% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $54,546 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.4% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 18.8% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 33.5% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.3% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | 69.8°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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