Salinas CA vs Waterbury 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salinas
161,993
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Salinas
21.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 21.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Waterbury
$280,921
Waterbury +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $280,921 | Waterbury + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Waterbury
18.5%
Waterbury +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 40.5% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.1% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 19.1% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 18.5% | Waterbury + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.2% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waterbury, CT | 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
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Waterbury offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $280,921. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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