Salinas, CA vs Tempe, AZ
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
Tempe
68.3
#1328 nationally
Tempe leads in cost of living index (119 vs 149). Tempe leads in average commute (21.5 min vs 25.9 min). Salinas leads in median household income ($84,250 vs $72,022).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.5 (#1766) | 68.3 (#1328) |
| Population | 159,506 | 189,834 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $753,868 | $465,636 |
| Median Household Income | $84,250 | $72,022 |
| Average Commute | 25.9 min | 21.5 min |
| Walk Score | 55 | 54 |
| Crime Level | 14.4 | 12.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 149 | 119 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+29.9 | R+3.5 |
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+
68.3 Score
Tempe, AZ
Mid-size Arizona city with community character
Median Home
$465,636
Population
189,834
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
54
Southwest
View Tempe, AZ →