F
47%
Overall NAT. AVG.
8%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
118%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Salinas California National
Cost of living147140100
Goods & Services108111100
Groceries115112100
Health care123109100
Housing218196100
Transportation130126100
Utilities132127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Salinas, CA

Knowing the cost of living in Salinas allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Salinas stands at 147, marking it 47% higher than the national average.

If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Salinas may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Salinas falls within this bracket.

Housing costs significantly influence the Salinas cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 118.1%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

The surge in grocery costs is indeed alarming, especially when groceries make up a large portion of your monthly expenditures. Over the past two years, there has been an inflation of over 10% in grocery prices. Unfortunately, Salinas does not fare better, with grocery expenses coming in at 14.5% higher than the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Salinas?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 15 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Salinas and this is how they responded. 20% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 80% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Salinas Affordable?

Is Salinas affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Salinas, the median home price is 144.2% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 57.2% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Salinas boasting a median household income of $67,914, 22.8% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Salinas?

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Salinas, the housing index is 118.1% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Salinas, the standard sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 1%.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Salinas, the transportation index is 30.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Salinas, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Salinas is 5% higher than the California average
  • The cost of living in Salinas is 47% higher than the national average
  • Salinas housing is 118% higher than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Salinas

See all the best places to live around Salinas

Compare Salinas, CA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$91,499$7,625$2,135$2,745
      Renters$52,689$4,391$1,229$1,581
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Salinas, CA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Salinas, the median monthly income is $91,499 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,135 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $52,689, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,229 on monthly rental expenses.

      California Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      California 7.25% 10.5%

      California Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      California 1% 13.3%

      Goods & Services

      Item Salinas National avg. Difference
      Haircut $33.94$24.2639.9%
      Beauty Salon $48.51$45.566.5%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.4%
      Shampoo $1.66$1.2829.9%
      Movie $13.31$12.139.7%
      Bowling $33.30$18.0085.0%

      Groceries

      Item Salinas National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.79$5.840.8%
      Fried Chicken $2.13$1.5735.7%
      Milk $5.05$4.678.2%
      Potatoes $4.77$4.933.4%
      Pizza $14.92$12.0923.5%
      Beer $10.99$10.415.6%

      Health Care

      Item Salinas National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $158.95$125.6826.5%
      Doctor $194.05$135.7842.9%
      Dentist $147.78$113.2930.4%
      Ibuprofen $11.51$10.658.1%
      Lipitor $390.15$468.6016.7%

      Housing

      Item Salinas National avg. Difference
      Home Price $451,000.00$184,700.00144.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $8,581.10$2,346.69265.7%
      Apartment Rent $1,492.00$949.0057.2%

      Transportation

      Item Salinas National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.81$3.4638.9%
      Tire Balancing $65.62$59.929.5%

      Utilities

      Item Salinas National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $294.74$193.9951.9%
      Phone $190.07$192.251.1%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Moss Landing, CA3111716.8%
      Boronda, CA1,74013231.5%
      Gonzales, CA8,34813737.0%
      Sand City, CA32013737.1%
      Chualar, CA1,41313939.2%
      Salinas, CA156,17714747.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Clarksville, TN156,092954.9%
      Lakewood, CO155,73313030.5%
      Lancaster, CA157,69712524.9%
      Alexandria, VA158,30915858.5%
      Hollywood, FL153,83411616.2%
      Salinas, CA156,17714747.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.