Salinas, CA vs Vista, 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
Vista
63.3
#1784 nationally
Vista leads in crime level (8.7 vs 14.4). Salinas leads in walk score (55 vs 46). Salinas leads in cost of living index (149 vs 158).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Vista, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.5 (#1766) | 63.3 (#1784) |
| Population | 159,506 | 98,344 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $753,868 | $879,716 |
| Median Household Income | $84,250 | $88,715 |
| Average Commute | 25.9 min | 27.1 min |
| Walk Score | 55 | 46 |
| Crime Level | 14.4 | 8.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 149 | 158 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+29.9 | D+16.8 |
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
63.3 Score
Vista, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$879,716
Population
98,344
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
46
Pacific
View Vista, CA →