Salinas CA
California · Pop. 161,761
Salinas, CA: median household income of $91,908, median rent of $1,991/mo, 4.7% unemployment. Our verdict: It Depends.
Score Breakdown
Key Metrics
Median Income
$91,908
per year
Median Rent
$1,991
per month
Median Home
$654k
home value
Unemployment
4.7%
of labor force
Poverty Rate
13.6%
below poverty line
Avg. Commute
27 min
one way
City Reality Check honest
"Salinas, CA Reality Check"
In Salinas, the rent-to-income burden runs around 26% — acceptable by national standards. Median income sits at $91,908 and median rent is $1,991/month. 53% of renters are cost-burdened (30%+ of income on housing). Landlords are winning; everyone else is treading water. Median home value: $654,100 — that's 7.1× the median income. Only 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree. The economy runs on trades, logistics, and service work — and the wages reflect that. Employment picture: 4.73% unemployment — a healthy job market. Poverty rate: 13.6%. Average commute: 27 minutes — acceptable. The city covers 23.2 sq miles at 6,966 people/sq mile — moderately dense. Elevation: 171 ft — essentially flat — floods are a real conversation. RoastMyCity overall score: 58/100 — It Depends.