Salinas Still Gives Monterey County Buyers More Room
If your budget has limits and Monterey County is your target, Salinas is where you want to start looking. According to Redfin, the median sale price in Salinas was $725,000 for the three months ending September 2026, well below the other main cities in the county. Listing prices from realtor.com (viewed October 2026) tell the same story: Salinas at $814,500, Seaside at $869,500, and Monterey city at $1,195,000.
Which city is most affordable: Salinas, Seaside or Monterey?
Salinas comes in lowest by a clear margin. Redfin's data for the three months ending September 2026 put the median sale price at $725,000, up 4.3% from the same period a year earlier. That's real appreciation, but it still lands well under what buyers are paying in Seaside or Monterey city.
On the listing side, realtor.com (viewed October 2026) showed:
- Salinas: $814,500
- Seaside: $869,500
- Monterey city: $1,195,000
If you're trying to stretch your dollar in Monterey County, Salinas is the starting point. You can see current inventory and trends on the Salinas market page.
How much more does Monterey cost than Salinas?
A lot more. Based on realtor.com listing prices viewed October 2026, Monterey city is sitting at $1,195,000, which is roughly $380,500 above Salinas at $814,500. That gap is not a rounding error. It's a meaningfully different loan amount, a meaningfully different monthly payment, and in many cases a different loan program altogether.
Monterey city has the coastline, the Cannery Row draw, the walkable downtown. Buyers who can afford it often love it. But for someone working with a real-world budget, that price point is a different conversation entirely.
Is Seaside a middle ground for buyers?
It can be. Seaside's median listing price of $869,500 (realtor.com, viewed October 2026) puts it above Salinas but well below Monterey city. You also get proximity to the coast, which matters to a lot of buyers who want that Monterey Peninsula feeling without the full Monterey price tag.
The tradeoff is that you're still looking at a significant jump over Salinas. On a 30-year fixed at 7.40% (Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, October 8, 2026), the difference between an $814,500 and an $869,500 purchase adds up fast when you run the numbers on a down payment and monthly payment side by side.
Seaside makes sense for some buyers. But if Salinas pencils out, don't let coastal proximity be the only reason you pay more.
How does the countywide market set expectations?
Monterey County as a whole is not a bargain market. According to the MLSListings County Summary Report for September 2026, the countywide median for single family homes was $920,000. Homes sat on the market for a median of 27 days and sold at 99% of list price on average.
That 99% figure is worth noting. Buyers sometimes assume there's always room to negotiate well under asking. In most cases right now, there isn't much. Sellers are getting close to full price. That makes knowing your ceiling before you start shopping more important than ever.
You can track how the full county is moving on the Monterey County market page.
What should first-time buyers watch in Monterey County?
The affordability numbers here are sobering. According to C.A.R.'s Housing Affordability Index for Q2 2026, only 12% of Monterey County households could afford the median-priced home. That tied for second least affordable county in the state. Rates aren't helping either: Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey on October 8, 2026 put the 30-year fixed at 7.40%, up from 6.30% a year earlier.
What that means practically is that your payment comfort matters just as much as the list price. A home listed at $814,500 in Salinas and a home listed at $1,195,000 in Monterey city are not just different numbers. They're different budgets, different loan structures, and in many cases different buyer profiles.
A few things first-time buyers should think through:
- Get pre-approved before you fall in love with a neighborhood. Know your real number.
- Look at payment, not just price. At current rates, every $100,000 in loan adds roughly $690 to your monthly principal and interest.
- Salinas may not be where you dreamed of buying, but it may be where you can actually buy and build equity now.
- Homes are moving at or near list price countywide, so come in prepared, not hopeful for a big discount.
If you're just getting started, the first-time home buyer guide walks through the basics in plain language. And if you already own somewhere and want to know what your home is worth before making a move, the free home valuation is a good place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salinas cheaper than Monterey city?
Yes, by a wide margin. According to realtor.com (viewed October 2026), median listing prices were $814,500 in Salinas and $1,195,000 in Monterey city. Redfin also put the Salinas median sale price at $725,000 for the three months ending September 2026.
Is Seaside more affordable than Monterey city?
Yes. Seaside had a median listing price of $869,500 compared to $1,195,000 in Monterey city, according to realtor.com viewed October 2026. It's not as low as Salinas, but it's a meaningful step down from Monterey city pricing.
Are Monterey County homes selling below list price?
Not by much. According to the MLSListings County Summary Report for September 2026, single family homes in Monterey County sold at 99% of list price on average. Most buyers should expect to pay close to asking.
How affordable is Monterey County overall?
It's one of the least affordable counties in California. C.A.R.'s Housing Affordability Index for Q2 2026 found that only 12% of Monterey County households could afford the median-priced home, which tied for second least affordable in the state.
Is Salinas a good place for first-time buyers to start looking?
For buyers focused on budget, it's worth a serious look. Salinas had the lowest median prices among the three cities compared here, and Redfin showed 4.3% year-over-year appreciation for the three months ending September 2026, so buyers aren't just settling. They're buying into a market that has been moving.
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What's your home worth today?
Online numbers are a starting point. If you want the real answer for your home and your street, I'll put together a free, personalized home valuation for you, no pressure and no obligation. Get your free home valuation here, or call or text me at (650) 695-1919.
Sirrom Alizem
REALTOR® | eXp Realty Nor Cal Inc | DRE #02137532
(650) 695-1919 | sirrom@realtywithsirrom.com | www.realtywithsirrom.com
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