Salinas vs Ontario: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Salinas, California compare to Ontario, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Ontario is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 12% higher in Salinas compared to Ontario, while rent is 2% lower.
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Ontario, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $573,600 | $513,000 | +11.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,795 | $1,826 | -1.7% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $84,250 | $78,070 | +7.9% |
| Per Capita Income | $27,344 | $29,332 | -6.8% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 13.3% | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 8.7% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 162,783 | 176,326 | -7.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Salinas
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Ontario
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Salinas costs $573,600 compared to $513,000 in Ontario — a 12% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,795/mo in Salinas vs $1,826/mo in Ontario.
- Income: Median household income is $84,250 in Salinas and $78,070 in Ontario.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).