Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Austin
59.9%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 118,578 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.5 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 5.7% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 7.5% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 1.3% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 8.9% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $63,900 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $46,062 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.6% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 16.3% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 45.8% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 42.7% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.1% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.4% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.4% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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