Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Winston-Salem
5.7%
Winston-Salem +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 118,578 | Arvada + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 5.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| White | 82.8% | 72.9% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.3% | Arvada + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 8.9% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $63,900 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $46,062 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.6% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 16.3% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 45.8% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 46.8% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 42.7% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.1% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.4% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.8% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 14.4% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, 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 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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