Barstow, CA vs Salinas, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Barstow
67.4
#1421 nationally
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Salinas leads in crime level (14.4 vs 30.4). Salinas leads in median household income ($84,250 vs $52,200). Barstow leads in cost of living index (104 vs 149).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Barstow, CA | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1421) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 24,964 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $266,998 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $52,200 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 27.9 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 30.4 | 14.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.1 | D+29.9 |
D+
67.4 Score
Barstow, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$266,998
Population
24,964
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
40
Pacific
View Barstow, CA →
D
63.5 Score
Salinas, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$753,868
Population
159,506
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
55
Pacific
View Salinas, CA →