Salinas

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Salinas, CA

Area Guide

Delight in the Salad Bowl of the World’s many charms

Suburban Rural Scenic Secluded Historic Charming

Welcome to Salinas, California, an agricultural powerhouse known as the "Salad Bowl of the World." Home to over 163,000 residents, Salinas combines its farming heritage with modern city living, where one-bedroom apartments currently rent for an average of $1,928. The city offers diverse housing options across its neighborhoods - from Harden Ranch and Creekbridge's contemporary communities to Old Town's historic Victorian homes. The northeastern section features rolling hills and wooded creeks, while the Williams Ranch area provides established residential communities. Downtown Salinas houses the National Steinbeck Center, celebrating hometown author and Nobel laureate John Steinbeck.

Salinas has evolved into a leading agricultural technology center, hosting the Forbes AgTech Summit and attracting innovation-focused companies. The city benefits from a Mediterranean climate influenced by Monterey Bay, with comfortable temperatures throughout the year. Community events bring residents together, including the historic California Rodeo Salinas, a tradition since 1911, and the annual El Grito festival in September. The Western Stage at Hartnell College and downtown's First Fridays Art Walk contribute to the local arts scene. While housing costs have increased by 3.6% annually, Salinas remains more affordable than many California coastal cities, offering a mix of cultural heritage and agricultural innovation.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Salinas, CA is $1,628 for a studio, $1,950 for one bedroom, $2,352 for two bedrooms, and $3,034 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Salinas has decreased by -0.8% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,950/month
657 Sq Ft
House
$3,633/month
1,377 Sq Ft
Condo
$2,997/month
1,102 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Salinas, CA

Transportation

64

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

31

Some Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

47

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Toro Park Elementary

Public

Grades K-3

322 Students

Lincoln Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

592 Students

Washington Elementary

Public

Grades 4-5

172 Students

Alisal Community

Public

Grades K-6

596 Students

Tiburcio Vasquez Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

837 Students

El Sausal Middle

Public

Grades 7-8

1,035 Students

San Benancio Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

240 Students

Washington Middle

Public

Grades 7-8

1,067 Students

Buena Vista Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

335 Students

La Paz Middle

Public

Grades 7-8

1,148 Students

Salinas High

Public

Grades 9-12

2,567 Students

Alisal High

Public

Grades 9-12

2,852 Students

Everett Alvarez High

Public

Grades 9-12

2,146 Students

North Salinas High

Public

Grades 9-12

2,112 Students

Monterey County Special Education School

Public

Grades K-12

256 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Fort Ord National Monument
  • Toro County Park
  • Marina State Beach
  • Fremont Peak State Park

Airports

  • Monterey Regional

Top Apartments in Salinas

Houses for Rent in Salinas

Property Management Companies in Salinas, CA

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.