El Cajon, 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.
El Cajon
62.5
#1848 nationally
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Salinas leads in median household income ($84,250 vs $64,128). El Cajon leads in crime level (11.9 vs 14.4). El Cajon leads in walk score (61 vs 55).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | El Cajon, CA | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.5 (#1848) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 102,991 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $812,181 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $64,128 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 25.4 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 61 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 11.9 | 14.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 150 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+29.9 |
D-
62.5 Score
El Cajon, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$812,181
Population
102,991
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View El Cajon, 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 →