If you're considering a move to either Fresno or Salinas, California, there are several factors to take into consideration. These two cities offer a unique Californian living experience with different focuses in terms of crime rates, cost of living, education, infrastructure, economy, and much more. Let's dive into this comprehensive comparison shedding light on a variety of factors that influence daily life or a potential visit.
Distance between
Fresno, CA and
Salinas, CA : 102.7 miles
Fresno's population is larger by 235%. Its population has grown by 116,858 people (27.3%) since 2000. The population of Salinas has grown by 11,731 people (7.8%) during that time.
Both Fresno and Salinas have higher crime rates than the national average. However, Salinas experiences higher violent and property crime compared to Fresno. Community policing efforts are ongoing in both cities with the goal of reducing these numbers. Regarding tourist safety, both cities try their utmost to ensure the safety and security of their visitors.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,525 registered sex offenders living in Fresno and 330 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Fresno is 342 to 1; the ratio in Salinas is 476 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is larger in Fresno than in Salinas.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Salinas is significantly higher than in Fresno. This difference is largely driven by Salinas's higher housing costs. However, Fresno residents tend to earn lower incomes compared to their counterparts in Salinas, which partially offsets this cost differential.
Income Tax
California imposes a progressive income tax, and this applies uniformly across all cities, including Fresno and Salinas.
Property Tax
Property taxes are lower in Fresno compared to Salinas, reflecting the lower property values in the former city.
Sales Tax
Both cities have a base sales tax of 7.25%, with local taxes pushing the combined rate to 7.975% in Fresno and 9.25% in Salinas.
Income
Type
Fresno
Salinas
Estimated median household income
$61,250
$80,154
Estimated per capita income
$28,499
$23,544
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.3
108.4
If you make $50,000 in Fresno, you will have to make $56,282 in Salinas to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Fresno is situated in the center of the expansive San Joaquin Valley, surrounded by farming lands and national parks. Salinas, on the other hand, sits in the Salinas Valley, known as the 'Salad Bowl of the World,' due to its fertile ground and proximity to the Pacific Ocean.
Both cities offer a decent education system. Fresno, being larger, has more schools and universities, including Fresno Pacific University and California State University, Fresno. Salinas has some good schools but offers less variety in terms of higher education.
Fresno has a diversified economy with sectors such as healthcare, education, and retail playing a significant role. Conversely, Salinas's economy leans heavily on agriculture, particularly vegetable farming and wine production.
Biggest Employers
In Fresno, the largest employers are healthcare institutions like Community Medical Centers and Saint Agnes Medical Center. Meanwhile, in Salinas, the major employers include Taylor Farms, Tanimura & Antle, and D'Arrigo Brothers, all of which are agricultural companies.
There were 1,911 building permits issued in Fresno in 2012 (1205 more than in 2011) compared to 64 building permits issued in Salinas in 2012 (57 more than in 2011).
In Fresno (Fresno County), 49.8% voted for Democrats and 48.0% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Salinas (Monterey County), 67.3% voted for Democrats and 30.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Fresno
Salinas
Fresno
Salinas
Fresno
Salinas
2020
53.0%
69.5%
45.2%
28.3%
1.8%
2.2%
2016
49.2%
66.8%
43.2%
26.2%
7.5%
7.1%
2012
49.8%
67.3%
48.0%
30.3%
2.2%
2.4%
2008
50.2%
68.4%
48.1%
30.0%
1.8%
1.6%
2004
42.0%
60.7%
57.8%
38.6%
0.3%
0.8%
2000
43.2%
57.7%
53.3%
37.3%
3.5%
5.0%
1996
45.3%
53.2%
47.4%
36.7%
7.3%
10.2%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Fresno
Salinas
Fresno
Salinas
CATHOLIC CHURCH
31.0%
36.2%
6.1%
9.1%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.6%
0.9%
8.1%
8.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.7%
0.3%
2.6%
2.4%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.6%
0.1%
2.4%
1.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.5%
0.3%
2.0%
2.1%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.3%
0.6%
0.6%
1.0%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.0%
0.8%
0.1%
4.9%
Weather
Fresno has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate while Salinas experiences a mild Mediterranean climate. In Fresno, summers can be blazing hot while winters are usually cloudy and wet. On the other hand, Salinas, being close to the Pacific Ocean, has more moderate temperatures, making it an ideal place for outdoor-loving tourists.
Weather and climate
Type
Fresno
Salinas
Temperature - Average
63°F
57.7°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
60.9%
70.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
67%
46.5%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
88%
87%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
21%
40.5%
Precipitation - Yearly average
11.6 in
14.5 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
32.4%
29.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
82.8%
77.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
52%
32.9%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
96%
82.9%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
44%
50%
Wind speed - Average
6.5 mph
9 mph
Average climate in Fresno, California
Average climate in Salinas, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Fresno
Salinas
Fresno
Salinas
Fresno
Salinas
Fresno
Salinas
Fresno
Fresno
Salinas
Fresno
Salinas
Fresno
2018
128
74
0.35
0.29
9.7
4.5
31.7
26.5
N/A
N/A
39.7
20.7
14.8
6.3
0.6
N/A
2017
132
82
0.35
0.24
9.2
4.4
33.2
26.2
N/A
N/A
38.3
19.3
14.3
5.8
0.6
N/A
2016
128
82
0.35
0.32
8.4
4.3
31.4
24.9
N/A
N/A
34.7
16.1
13.5
5.5
0.5
N/A
2015
134
78
0.32
0.38
8.7
4.6
31.1
25.7
N/A
N/A
34.2
17.1
13.9
4.7
0.5
N/A
2014
139
69
0.33
0.36
10.1
4.5
32.4
25.5
0.004
N/A
39.3
16.7
16.4
4.8
0.5
N/A
2013
136
74
0.37
0.32
11.1
5.4
31.0
25.1
0.005
N/A
43.3
20.5
19.1
6.7
0.6
N/A
2012
140
68
0.36
0.31
9.7
5.4
31.9
26.4
0.004
N/A
36.1
19.1
14.2
5.6
0.6
N/A
2011
139
69
0.34
0.39
8.7
6.1
33.5
26.5
N/A
N/A
30.2
18.6
21.1
6.4
0.8
N/A
2010
121
73
0.27
0.38
6.9
6.1
31.1
26.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.6
0.7
N/A
2009
107
74
0.31
0.40
7.3
6.5
29.6
26.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.6
N/A
2008
130
66
0.33
0.35
9.3
7.0
31.1
27.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.2
N/A
1.0
N/A
2007
146
61
0.34
0.40
10.0
7.1
28.4
25.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
26.0
N/A
0.7
N/A
2006
104
79
0.36
0.43
11.3
7.3
29.7
27.5
0.006
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2005
101
58
0.33
0.32
10.7
7.6
28.1
26.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2004
103
61
0.34
0.43
11.5
6.8
30.8
26.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2003
115
70
0.44
0.46
15.0
6.2
31.2
24.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.2
N/A
2002
139
76
0.43
0.41
15.2
6.9
44.8
26.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2001
143
72
0.42
0.42
15.1
6.8
47.3
26.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2000
136
62
0.51
0.45
15.4
7.4
41.0
24.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Fresno
Salinas
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
9.9%
6.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
8,613%
7,720.3%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
12%
23%
Transportation
Both cities provide public transit services, but Fresno has a more developed system with its bus network named FAX. Commute times are generally lower in Fresno due to its comprehensive road infrastructure and less traffic congestion compared to Salinas.
Transport
Type
Fresno
Salinas
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
2
3
FAA registered aircraft
408
139
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
36
6
Means of transportation to work
Type
Fresno
Salinas
Bicycle
0.8%
0.7%
Bus
1.3%
0.5%
Carpooled
10.7%
7.7%
Car alone
84.4%
83.4%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.2%
Walked
1.4%
1.2%
Average travel time to work
Type
Fresno
Salinas
Average
23.7 min
25.4 min
Other means
21.5 min
25.7 min
Public transportation
45.3 min
38.8 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Fresno
Salinas
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
88.3%
90.2%
In 2 person carpool
8.5%
6.5%
In 3 person carpool
1.8%
1.7%
In 4 person carpool
0.8%
0.9%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.5%
0.2%
In 7+ person carpool
0.1%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Fresno's real estate market is more affordable than Salinas. While Fresno offers a mix of suburban and urban living, Salinas's real estate features more ranch-style homes due to its agricultural dominance.
Neighborhoods
Fresno offers an eclectic mix of neighborhoods to suit different lifestyles, including the cultural Tower District and the affluent Fig Garden. In Salinas, neighborhoods like Creekbridge and South Salinas cater to a variety of budgets and lifestyles.
Houses and residents
Type
Fresno
Salinas
Houses
188,756
43,045
Average household size (people)
3.1
3.7
Median year apartment built
1977
1977
Median year house/condo built
1983
1976
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.6 years
14.5 years
Houses occupied
181,841 (96.3%)
41,871 (97.3%)
Houses occupied by owners
91,233 (50.2%)
17,086 (40.8%)
Houses occupied by renters
90,608 (49.8%)
24,785 (59.2%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$958.34
$463.81
Median monthly housing costs
$1,209
$1,713
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$285,919
$238,946
Estimated median house or condo value
$321,300
$585,100
Median numbers of rooms
5
4.6
Median number of rooms in apartments
4
4.1
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.9
5.7
Median house price - detached houses
$375,492
$553,736
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$196,355
$383,923
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$287,684
$258,226
Median house price - mobile homes
$100,122
$150,329
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$260,277
$418,908
Median house price - All housing units
$358,028
$510,805
Median house age
42
44
Renting percentage
50.9%
54.9%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,808.6
2,264.9
House value disparities
29.4%
20.8%
Household income disparities
46.4%
38.6%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$97,354
$117,209
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$73,445
$83,374
Housing units without a mortgage
1,037 (1.7%)
0 (0%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
2,880 (4.8%)
326 (2.9%)
Housing units with a mortgage
59,354 (98.3%)
11,083 (100%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
68 (0.1%)
0 (0%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
4,120 (6.8%)
665 (6%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
10
14
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
3
4
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.5%
0.5%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.4%
0.2%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Fresno
Salinas
One, detached
59.0%
56.0%
One, attached
3.2%
3.3%
Two
3.0%
1.6%
3 or 4
7.8%
5.3%
5 to 9
9.6%
11.8%
10 to 19
3.6%
9.6%
20 to 49
3.4%
5.3%
50 or more
7.5%
3.9%
Mobile homes
2.6%
3.3%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.0%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
14,428
3,313
State government workers
9,836
2,055
Unpaid family workers
890
248
Industries and Occupations
Fresno’s economy is dominated by industries such as healthcare, farming, and education, while in Salinas, the agricultural industry reigns supreme. Wage earners in Fresno are typically employed in office and administrative support roles, while in Salinas, farming, fishing, and forestry occupations hold a significant share of the employment pie.
Fresno offers a range of healthcare options with large healthcare facilities like the Community Regional Medical Center. In Salinas, the healthcare system is smaller but adequate, with Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital being a notable healthcare provider.
Fresno, being a larger city, has better infrastructure than Salinas in terms of road networks, power supply, and public facilities. Salinas, although smaller, also provides a well-maintained infrastructure beneficial to residents and tourists alike.
Infrastructure
Type
Fresno
Salinas
Hospitals
32
5
TV stations
4
13
Bank branches located here
98
31
Bank institutions located here
25
12
Main business address for public companies
1
2
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
5
6
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Fresno
Salinas
1999
717
213
2000
484
219
2001
462
208
2002
569
200
2003
1,510
498
2004
2,462
836
2005
3,394
1,006
2006
3,441
826
2007
2,138
560
2008
760
312
2009
354
190
Culture and Food
Fresno is known for its diverse cultural community and local cuisine, with an abundance of ethnic restaurants and cultural festivals. Salinas has a strong Latino influence, and its restaurants reflect this with many offering traditional Mexican culinary delights.
Sports Teams
While Fresno boasts a variety of sports teams like the Fresno Grizzlies in baseball, Salinas doesn't have any major professional sports teams. It does, however, have several youth and amateur teams for its residents to join or support.
Fresno, CA
Salinas, CA
