Living in Salinas, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Salinas · Census data 2020–2024
Salinas has 161,761 residents with a median age of 32.4. The median household income is $91,908 (7% lower than the California median), the median home value is $654,100, the median rent is $1,991/month.
Salinas at a glance
- Population
- 161,761
- Median age
- 32.4State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $91,908State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $654,100State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,991/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 47%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16.5%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Salinas a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 11% lower than the state median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 4.7%.
Cons: Median household income 7% lower than the California median; a poverty rate of 13.6%.
The weather is best in July to October.
Cost of living in Salinas
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Salinas the median home value is $654,100, 97% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,991 per month, which is 32.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,471 a month in housing costs.
Salinas median household income
The median household income in Salinas is $91,908 and the income per person is $29,650. 13.6% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Salinas: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 45,249
- Owner-occupied
- 47%
- Renter-occupied
- 53%
- Vacant
- 3.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1976
- Average household size
- 3.65
Salinas demographics
- Population
- 161,761
- Median age
- 32.4
- Under 18
- 29.4%
- 65 and older
- 10.6%
- Households
- 43,620
- Foreign-born
- 37.5%
- Veterans
- 2.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Salinas ›
Education in Salinas
16.5% of adults 25 and older in Salinas have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 4.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Salinas
- Unemployment rate
- 4.7%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 4.3%
- Drive alone
- 74.2%
- Public transit
- 0.7%
- Walk to work
- 1.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.4%
Salinas vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salinas | 161,761 | $91,908 | $654,100 | $1,991 |
| Boronda | 1,351 | $63,125 | $578,000 | $2,112 |
| Castroville | 6,720 | $89,354 | $617,100 | $1,948 |
| Prunedale | 19,723 | $103,819 | $833,400 | $1,618 |
| Marina | 22,563 | $95,955 | $818,700 | $2,101 |
| Elkhorn | 1,664 | $126,964 | $811,200 | $2,000 |
| Chualar | 812 | $59,125 | $649,100 | $1,253 |
| Seaside | 31,814 | $85,311 | $787,100 | $2,409 |
| San Juan Bautista | 2,033 | $115,833 | $785,800 | $1,889 |
More for people moving to Salinas
Salinas ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Salinas: FAQ
What is the median household income in Salinas, CA?
The median household income in Salinas is $91,908, 7% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Salinas?
The median home value in Salinas is $654,100, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Salinas?
The median gross rent in Salinas is $1,991 per month, about 32.2% of household income.
Is Salinas, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 11% lower than the state median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 4.7%. Minuses: median household income 7% lower than the California median; a poverty rate of 13.6%.
What is the median age in Salinas?
The median age in Salinas is 32.4 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Salinas?
The average commute to work in Salinas is 27 minutes; 4.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Salinas?
The unemployment rate in Salinas is 4.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Salinas?
16.5% of adults in Salinas have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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