Salinas CA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Waco
9.8%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 141,925 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 9.8% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 1.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.0% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 29.9% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $51,468 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 24.0% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 36.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 20.4% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.1% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | 66.6°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | 36.4 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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