Rochester, NY 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.
Rochester
71.9
#953 nationally
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Salinas leads in median household income ($84,250 vs $42,124). Rochester leads in cost of living index (88 vs 149). Rochester leads in average commute (21.2 min vs 25.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.9 (#953) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 211,328 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,152 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $42,124 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 21.2 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 59 | 55 |
| Crime Level | High | 14.4 |
| School Rating | 4.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+19.1 | D+29.9 |
C-
71.9 Score
Rochester, NY
Flour City innovation hub
Median Home
$249,152
Population
211,328
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Northeast
View Rochester, NY →
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 →