CostIndexUSA

Salinas, CA vs Vallejo, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

≈ Equal CostCA
Salinas
109
overall index
$2,875/mo rent
CA
Vallejo
108.5
overall index
$2,375/mo rent

Salinas and Vallejo have nearly identical costs of living.

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing2.5%
Salinas
145.7
Vallejo
142
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Salinas
105.2
Vallejo
105.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Salinas
105.3
Vallejo
105.3
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Salinas
95.3
Vallejo
95.3
Utilities≈ Equal
Salinas
154.2
Vallejo
155

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Salinas to see what you'd need to earn in Vallejo to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Vallejo, CA
$79,600
$400 less needed in Vallejo

Formula: salary × (108.5 ÷ 109) = salary × 0.9954. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Salinas, CA

Median Home Price
$826,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
145.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.9×

Vallejo, CA

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,375
Housing Index
142
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.9×

Salinas has 2.5% lower housing costs compared to Vallejo.

Income & Job Market

Salinas, CA

Median Household Income
$88,000
Per Capita Income
$50,200
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
163,542
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentEducation

Vallejo, CA

Median Household Income
$100,000
Per Capita Income
$57,000
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
121,253
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryManufacturingRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Salinas, CA
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

61% of income left after rent (median)

Vallejo, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.