Cost of living in Salinas, California
Monterey County, CA
Part of the Salinas Metro Area
Population 435,834 · Last updated May 21, 2026
Cost breakdown
Single person, by category, per month.
Rent in Salinas
Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.
Source: HUD FMR FY2025
Income and earnings in Salinas
Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.
Home values in Salinas
Average values reported by homeowners.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
Energy costs in Salinas
Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.
Source: EIA
Healthcare in Salinas
Insurance premiums and coverage rates.
Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.
Taxes in Salinas
State and local tax rates for California.
Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.
Transportation in Salinas
Commute patterns and estimated costs.
Source: ACS
Monthly cost estimates for Salinas
What it costs to live in Salinas each month.
- Rent $2,479
- Energy $217
- Water $60
- Groceries $397
- Transport $320
- Healthcare $480
- Federal tax $479
- State tax $82
- Rent $2,982
- Energy $260
- Water $70
- Groceries $658
- Transport $420
- Healthcare $864
- Federal tax $1,217
- State tax $453
- Rent $4,025
- Energy $326
- Water $85
- Groceries $998
- Transport $520
- Healthcare $1,350
- Childcare $1,200
- Federal tax $1,217
- State tax $453
Frequently asked questions about Salinas
Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.
What is the average rent in Salinas?
In Salinas, California, a one-bedroom apartment averages $2,479 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,982 per month, a three-bedroom averages $4,025 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.
What is the average salary in Salinas?
In Salinas, California, the average household income is $94,486 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $39,335 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
What is the cost of living in Salinas?
The estimated cost of living in Salinas, California is approximately $4,514 per month for a single person, $6,924 for a couple, $10,174 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
What is the sales tax rate in Salinas?
The combined sales tax rate in Salinas, California is 8.85%, which includes the California state rate of 7.25% plus an average local rate of 1.60%.
Is Salinas an affordable place to live?
Based on the data, a single person in Salinas, California would need approximately $4,514 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $94,486 per year ($7,874 per month). Salinas has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.
How much does healthcare cost in Salinas?
The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Salinas, California is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 9.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.
What are house prices in Salinas?
The average home value in Salinas, California is $723,100, with average annual property taxes of $4,782, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
How does Salinas compare to other areas?
You can compare Salinas, California with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Salinas is in the Salinas, CA metro area.
Other counties in California
Browse the full list of counties in California, ranked by cost of living.
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About this data
All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.
- HUD FMR FY2025
- ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
- EIA
- ACS + national avg
- ACS
- USDA + BEA RPP