2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Salinas, CA vs Novato, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Novato older or younger than people in Salinas?
- The Median Age in Novato is 16.8 years older than in Salinas.

Are housing costs cheaper in Novato or Salinas?
- Novato housing costs are 58.1% more expensive than Salinas housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Novato or Salinas?
- The average commute for residents of Novato is 9.4 minutes longer than it is for residents of Salinas.

Things to do in Salinas?
Salinas, California is a vibrant city located in the heart of Monterey County. Home to many outdoor attractions such as Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge and Toro Regional Park, visitors can explore nature at its finest when visiting Salinas. There are also plenty of cultural attractions including galleries and museums. For entertainment, visitors can explore boutique shops and restaurants along with movie theaters and live music clubs. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an exciting night out, Salinas has something for everyone!

Things to do in Novato?
Novato, California is located in Marin County, just north of San Francisco. Novato is home to nearly 56,000 people and offers a mix of rural and urban attractions. Residents enjoy outdoor activities such as Mt. Burdell Open Space Preserve and the Novato Arts Center for its art galleries, plays, and music events. Novato also boasts several shopping destinations in addition to top-notch schools, hospitals and services. With its combination of small-town charm, big-city amenities and access to pristine natural beauty, Novato provides an excellent place to call home.

 Salinas, CANovato, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock53,214329,725,481
 Median Income$75,747  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock48.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$665,400  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time23.19  Unlock26.38
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

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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

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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

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Reviews for Novato    9 Reviews

Lush hills, hiking trails, and easy access to both wine country and San Francisco. We love it here.  More

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Over 10 years ago

Novato is a family oriented community located about 20 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge. The quality of life is excellent here assuming your job pays you enough to  More

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Over 11 years ago

We recently moved to a secluded neighborhood in Novato after 25 years in central Marin. While there are fewer restaurants and galleries, we are very pleased with our  More

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