Salinas, CA vs San Rafael, 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.
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
San Rafael
58.5
#1954 nationally
Salinas leads in cost of living index (149 vs 213). San Rafael leads in median household income ($113,839 vs $84,250). Salinas leads in crime level (14.4 vs 15.3).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salinas, CA | San Rafael, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.5 (#1766) | 58.5 (#1954) |
| Population | 159,506 | 59,555 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $753,868 | $1,332,023 |
| Median Household Income | $84,250 | $113,839 |
| Average Commute | 25.9 min | 27.5 min |
| Walk Score | 55 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 14.4 | 15.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 149 | 213 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+29.9 | D+63.9 |
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 →
F
58.5 Score
San Rafael, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,332,023
Population
59,555
Crime
High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View San Rafael, CA →