Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 118,578 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.5 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 5.7% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 60.0% | 14.9% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.3% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $59,120 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $265,013 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 46.8% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1999 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 42.7% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.8% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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