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