Lakewood, 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.
Lakewood
63.1
#1796 nationally
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Lakewood leads in median household income ($113,030 vs $84,250). Lakewood leads in crime level (12.4 vs 14.4). Salinas leads in average commute (25.9 min vs 29.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lakewood, CA | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.1 (#1796) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 78,135 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $882,830 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $113,030 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 29.8 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 58 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 12.4 | 14.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 168 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+29.9 |
D
63.1 Score
Lakewood, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$882,830
Population
78,135
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
58
Pacific
View Lakewood, 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 →