Provo, UT 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.
Provo
73.8
#678 nationally
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Provo leads in cost of living index (104 vs 149). Salinas leads in median household income ($84,250 vs $62,891). Salinas leads in walk score (55 vs 44).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Provo, UT | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.8 (#678) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 117,335 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $485,084 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $62,891 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 20.8 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 55 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 14.4 |
| School Rating | 7.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+39.8 | D+29.9 |
C
73.8 Score
Provo, UT
BYU energy meets startup culture
Median Home
$485,084
Population
117,335
Crime
Very Low
Schools
B+
West
View Provo, UT →
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 →