Salem, OR 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.
Salem
67.1
#1465 nationally
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Salinas leads in walk score (55 vs 42). Salem leads in cost of living index (115 vs 149). Salinas leads in median household income ($84,250 vs $67,540).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salem, OR | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.1 (#1465) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 177,432 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $440,726 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $67,540 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 22.7 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 14.6 | 14.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.0 | D+29.9 |
D+
67.1 Score
Salem, OR
Mid-size Oregon city with community character
Median Home
$440,726
Population
177,432
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Salem, OR →
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 →