Marion, IN 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.
Marion
85.1
#2 nationally
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Marion leads in crime level (2.9 vs 14.4). Salinas leads in median household income ($84,250 vs $42,366). Marion leads in cost of living index (82 vs 149).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Marion, IN | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 85.1 (#2) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 28,105 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $140,425 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $42,366 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 17.1 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 2.9 | 14.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 82 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+41.8 | D+29.9 |
B
85.1 Score
Marion, IN
Small Indiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$140,425
Population
28,105
Crime
Low
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Marion, IN →
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 →