Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 118,578 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.5 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 5.7% | Cleveland + |
| White | 36.7% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 46.8% | 14.9% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.3% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 8.9% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $265,013 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Cleveland +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 42.7% | Cleveland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Cleveland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.2%.
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