Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 118,578 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.5 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 5.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 28.4% | 14.9% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.3% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 8.9% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $63,900 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $46,062 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 42.7% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.1% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.4% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.4% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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