Fresno, CA 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.
Fresno
66.6
#1521 nationally
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Salinas leads in crime level (14.4 vs 20.1). Salinas leads in median household income ($84,250 vs $63,001). Fresno leads in cost of living index (123 vs 149).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.6 (#1521) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 545,716 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $390,993 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 22.3 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 47 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 20.1 | 14.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+29.9 |
D
66.6 Score
Fresno, CA
Major California city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$390,993
Population
545,716
Crime
High
Walk Score
47
Pacific
View Fresno, CA →
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 →