Salinas, CA vs Waltham, MA
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
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
Waltham leads in crime level (6.9 vs 14.4). Waltham leads in median household income ($113,443 vs $84,250). Salinas leads in cost of living index (149 vs 164).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Waltham, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.5 (#1766) | 66.7 (#1517) |
| Population | 159,506 | 64,477 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $753,868 | $831,292 |
| Median Household Income | $84,250 | $113,443 |
| Average Commute | 25.9 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 55 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 14.4 | 6.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 149 | 164 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+29.9 | D+39.5 |
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
66.7 Score
Waltham, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$831,292
Population
64,477
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
57
Northeast
View Waltham, MA →