2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Fresno, CA vs Salinas, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Salinas or is it cheaper to live in Fresno?
- Salinas is 46.5% more expensive than Fresno.

Which city has more affordable housing, Salinas or Fresno?
- Salinas housing costs are 98.6% more expensive than Fresno housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Fresno or is Health Care more affordable in Salinas.
- Health related expenses are 54.4% more in Salinas.
 Fresno, CASalinas, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.9100
 Food & Groceries99.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock143.7100
 Housing108.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$665,400$338,100
 Utilities112  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock100.4100
 Miscellaneous110.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Fresno    77 Reviews

I'm not gonna say this city is terrible, but it certainly has many issues that need to be taken care of and unfortunately the city council has done a poor job keeping up  More

   |    Reply

I've lived in Fresno my entire life and when I became an adult, I began to realize how much being a resident here really sucks, it might be cheaper than most other  More

   |    Reply

Lived here since 2002. I may be flamed for this, but.. total dump and I would rate 0 stars if I could. You only really move here to move out. As good as a gas stop.  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Fresno

Reviews for Salinas    15 Reviews

Over 11 years ago

Sacred Heart School is a fine Catholic school in the heart of Salinas, Ca. Victoria Torcolini was principal of this PK-8 school from 2006-2009. Under her leadership, SHS  More

   |    Reply

Over 13 years ago

I Was born and raise in salinas. In 2006 my family moved to the central valley. I moved back to salinas in 2011. I moved back Because I got a better job in Carmel. I  More

   |    Reply

Salinas, California has some of the best weather in Central California. I love looking out at the mountain ranges that line the Salinas River Valley. It's a shame that  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Salinas


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.