Newark, NJ 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.
Newark
62.7
#1835 nationally
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Salinas leads in median household income ($84,250 vs $46,460). Newark leads in walk score (76 vs 55). Salinas leads in average commute (25.9 min vs 33 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.7 (#1835) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 304,960 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $481,883 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $46,460 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 33 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 76 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 15.9 | 14.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 120 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+44.9 | D+29.9 |
D-
62.7 Score
Newark, NJ
Growing New Jersey city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$481,883
Population
304,960
Crime
High
Walk Score
76
Northeast
View Newark, NJ →
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 →