Cost of Living in Salinas, California
In Salinas, the median household income is $91,908 and the median gross rent is $1,991/mo, with a median home value of $654,100. Source: Census Bureau ACS, 2020-2024 estimates.
- Median household income
- $91,908
- Median gross rent
- $1,991/mo
- Median home value
- $654,100
- Population
- 161,761
How Salinas compares to the California average
| Measure | Salinas, CA | California statewide | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $91,908 | $99,122 | -7.3% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,991 | $2,036 | -2.2% |
| Median home value | $654,100 | $734,700 | -11.0% |
Statewide, California prices average 110.7 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (2024), where the U.S. average is 100.
Housing affordability in Salinas
- Salary needed for median rent
- $79,640
- Rent burden at median income
- 26.0%
- Est. affordable home price
- $335,274
So that $1,991/mo is 30% of gross income
Share of the median household income spent on median rent (30%+ = cost-burdened)
At median income, 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI
The median home value in Salinas is $654,100 — +95.1% above what the median household income supports under these assumptions.
Estimates from documented formulas — see methodology. Not financial advice.
Cost of living in other California cities
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.