Allen TX vs Winston-Salem NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allen
107,684
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Allen
55.7%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Allen
10.6%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Allen +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 5.7% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 10.6% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 1.3% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 8.9% | Allen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $63,900 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $46,062 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Allen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 16.3% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 45.8% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 46.8% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 42.7% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.1% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 17.4% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.8% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.4% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Allen. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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