Salinas, CA vs Santa Rosa, 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
Santa Rosa
66.2
#1577 nationally
Santa Rosa leads in crime level (9.4 vs 14.4). Salinas leads in walk score (55 vs 47). Santa Rosa leads in average commute (22.7 min vs 25.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.5 (#1766) | 66.2 (#1577) |
| Population | 159,506 | 175,845 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $753,868 | $715,976 |
| Median Household Income | $84,250 | $92,604 |
| Average Commute | 25.9 min | 22.7 min |
| Walk Score | 55 | 47 |
| Crime Level | 14.4 | 9.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 149 | 163 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+29.9 | D+46.2 |
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 →
D
66.2 Score
Santa Rosa, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$715,976
Population
175,845
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
47
Pacific
View Santa Rosa, CA →