Salinas CA vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salinas
161,993
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Yonkers
32.6%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Yonkers
38.0%
Yonkers +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Yonkers
17.3%
Yonkers +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Yonkers
5.1%
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Yonkers
44.4%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 39.0 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 32.6% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 38.0% | Yonkers + |
| Black | 1.4% | 17.3% | Yonkers + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.1% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 44.4% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Yonkers
$81,816
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Yonkers
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Yonkers
35.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $81,816 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.4% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 14.7% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 35.2% | Yonkers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Yonkers
$685,544
Yonkers +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Yonkers
47.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $685,544 | Yonkers + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 47.2% | Yonkers + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Yonkers
434
Yonkers +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Yonkers + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Yonkers
12.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Yonkers
12.7%
Yonkers +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 12.7% | Yonkers + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Yonkers, NY | 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
Salinas +
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 37.5 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while yonkers offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $685,544. On public safety, Yonkers is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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