Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 118,578 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.5 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 5.7% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 29.0% | 14.9% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.3% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $63,900 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $265,013 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 42.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.1% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.8% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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