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Salinas, CA
Full City Profile · California · San Benito County County
2.6
/5.0
C+
Fair
161,993
Population
6,887/sq mi density
$89,150
Median Income
$28,813 per capita
$610,900
Home Value
$735,950 Zillow
$1,923
Median Rent
32.1% income on rent
55°F
Avg Temperature
324 sunny days/yr
498
Violent Crime/100K
2,251 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$89,150 median income, 2.9% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.8 / 5.0
$610,900 home value, $1,923/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
498 violent crimes/100K (31% above avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Salinas experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July. The area gets 324 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 31.0 inches. The area receives 2.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.
Temperature
49°F Jan (9°C)
61°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 55.3°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 49°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 324 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Area | 23.2 sq mi (60.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 6,887/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.6902°N, 121.6338°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | San Benito County County |
| Nearest Airport | Monterey Regional (MRY) 14 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0408 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 4.1 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 85.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 56.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
6 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 4.5 m (15 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1868 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 4.5 m | 30 | 120 km |
| 1989 | N. CALIFORNIA | Earthquake | 1.0 m | 62 | 44 km |
| 1856 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.6 m | — | 108 km |
| 1906 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 136 km |
| 1901 | MONTEREY BAY, N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 127 km |
| 1865 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 61 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest, Wettest |
| February | 51°F (11°C) | 3.1 in | |
| March | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 0.3 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 61°F (16°C) | 0.1 in | Driest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 65°F (19°C) | 0.3 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | |
| December | 50°F (10°C) | 3.0 in |
Salinas has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 49°F in January to 66°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 18.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (3.6") and July the driest (0.1").