Salinas CA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salinas
161,993
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 23.2% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 1.4% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 24.9% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $67,544 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.4% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 19.8% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 42.4% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 35.3% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 19.9% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.1% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.5% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | 48.1 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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