Oakland, 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.
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Oakland leads in walk score (73 vs 55). Salinas leads in average commute (25.9 min vs 32.1 min). Salinas leads in cost of living index (149 vs 155).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Oakland, CA | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62 (#1880) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 433,823 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $717,798 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $85,459 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 32.1 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 73 | 55 |
| Crime Level | High | 14.4 |
| School Rating | 4.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+29.9 |
D-
62 Score
Oakland, CA
Gritty, diverse, and full of culture
Median Home
$717,798
Population
433,823
Crime
High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Oakland, 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 →