Dallas, TX 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.
Dallas
70.1
#1132 nationally
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Dallas leads in cost of living index (105 vs 149). Salinas leads in median household income ($84,250 vs $61,899). Salinas leads in walk score (55 vs 46).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.1 (#1132) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 1,304,379 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $309,590 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $61,899 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 27.4 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 46 | 55 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 14.4 |
| School Rating | 5.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+22.2 | D+29.9 |
C-
70.1 Score
Dallas, TX
Big D - business and culture collide
Median Home
$309,590
Population
1,304,379
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Dallas, TX →
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 →