Salinas, CA vs Sunnyvale, 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.
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Sunnyvale
66.4
#1551 nationally
Sunnyvale leads in median household income ($168,924 vs $84,250). Salinas leads in cost of living index (149 vs 205). Salinas leads in walk score (55 vs 54).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Sunnyvale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.5 (#1766) | 66.4 (#1551) |
| Population | 159,506 | 155,805 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $753,868 | $2,050,814 |
| Median Household Income | $84,250 | $168,924 |
| Average Commute | 25.9 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 55 | 54 |
| Crime Level | 14.4 | Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 8.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 149 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+29.9 | D+40.0 |
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 →
D
66.4 Score
Sunnyvale, CA
Heart of tech innovation
Median Home
$2,050,814
Population
155,805
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Pacific
View Sunnyvale, CA →