Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 118,578 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.5 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 5.7% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 46.9% | 14.9% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.3% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $63,900 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $46,062 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 45.8% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 42.7% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.1% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.8% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.4% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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