Carlsbad, 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.
Carlsbad
62.6
#1838 nationally
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Carlsbad leads in crime level (5.5 vs 14.4). Salinas leads in walk score (55 vs 31). Carlsbad leads in median household income ($134,139 vs $84,250).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.6 (#1838) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 113,495 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,361,646 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $134,139 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 14.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 202 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+29.9 |
D-
62.6 Score
Carlsbad, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,361,646
Population
113,495
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
31
Pacific
View Carlsbad, 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 →