Moving from Long Beach, CA to Salinas, CA
Relocating between Long Beach, CA and Salinas, CA is a 327 mi drive β 6h 23m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
327 mi Β· 6h 23m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 5, CA 46 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Long Beach | Salinas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 109.042 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 154.157 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 145.669 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 4.0% under Long Beach β $857,861 β $747,758 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Long Beach +0.5%, Salinas -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Long Beach | Salinas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 71Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 12.6" |
Expect 6.8Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, SALINAS MUNICIPAL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Long Beach | Salinas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 161,993 |
| Median household income | $83,969 | $89,150 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 32.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 3.71 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.0% higher in Salinas than Long Beach.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Salinas MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations | 27,600 | $36,980 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | 25,020 | $36,920 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 18,820 | $35,820 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 16,550 | $38,530 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,140 | $48,290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Salinas sees only 12.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Long Beach to Salinas?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 327 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Salinas compare to Long Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,570 in the Salinas MSA vs $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA, on total employment of 181,410 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Salinas compared to Long Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $747,758 in Salinas vs $857,861 in Long Beach β a 12.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Long Beach vs Salinas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $89,150 in Salinas vs $83,969 in Long Beach β a 6.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Salinas more expensive than Long Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Salinas is 4.0% lower than Long Beach (109.042 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Salinas, CA from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 327 mi and the route typically takes 6h 23m via US 101 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Long Beach.
City profiles: Long Beach, CA Β· Salinas, CA.