MoveMap

Moving to Salinas

What you need to know before relocating to Salinas, California. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.

Is Salinas a Good Place to Live?

Salinas presents a mixed picture. Prospective residents should weigh the tradeoffs carefully. Key considerations: rent ($2,004/mo) is above the national average; home prices ($759,100) are above the us median.

Salinas at a Glance

Population
431K
Median Income
$88,035
Median Rent
$2,004/mo
Median Home Price
$759,100
Unemployment
7.0%
Avg Commute
172408 min

Cost of Living in Salinas

The median rent in Salinas is $2,004/month, while the median home value is $759,100. With a median household income of $88,035, residents spend roughly 27% of monthly income on rent.

Overall, the Salinas metro area is classified as very expensive compared to other US metros.

Rent vs. National Avg
43% above
Home Price vs. National Avg
149% above

Job Market

Salinas has a median household income of $88,035, which is 18% above the national median. The local unemployment rate is 7.0%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.

Safety in Salinas

The violent crime rate in Salinas is 508 per 100,000 residents, which is 34% above the national average of 380.

Property crime rate: 2326 per 100,000 residents.

Education in California

California has a high school graduation rate of 85% and per-pupil spending of $18,020/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 22:1.

39% of California adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Healthcare Access

California has 285 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 5.9% uninsured rate, and 1.9 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in California is 79.0 years.

Pros and Cons of Living in Salinas

+Pros

  • Median household income ($88,035) exceeds the national median
  • Low uninsured rate (5.9%) and good healthcare access

-Cons

  • Rent ($2,004/mo) is above the national average
  • Home prices ($759,100) are above the US median
  • Unemployment rate (7.0%) is above the national average
  • Violent crime rate (508/100k) exceeds the national average
  • Longer-than-average commute (172408 min)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Salinas a good place to live?

Salinas has both advantages and drawbacks. Prospective residents should weigh rent ($2,004/mo) is above the national average and home prices ($759,100) are above the us median against other lifestyle factors.

What is the cost of living in Salinas?

The median rent in Salinas is $2,004/month and the median home value is $759,100. The median household income is $88,035. Overall the metro is considered very expensive.

Is Salinas safe?

Salinas has a violent crime rate of 508 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

What is the job market like in Salinas?

Salinas has an unemployment rate of 7.0%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $88,035.

Explore More About Salinas