Bellevue, WA vs Salinas, CA
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.
Bellevue
69.5
#1192 nationally
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Bellevue leads in median household income ($145,892 vs $84,250). Salinas leads in cost of living index (149 vs 175). Salinas leads in average commute (25.9 min vs 26.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.5 (#1192) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 154,331 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,451,887 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $145,892 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 26.4 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 55 | 55 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 14.4 |
| School Rating | 9.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 175 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+51.7 | D+29.9 |
D+
69.5 Score
Bellevue, WA
Eastside excellence
Median Home
$1,451,887
Population
154,331
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Bellevue, WA →
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 →