Dallas 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 118,578 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.5 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 5.7% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 23.7% | 14.9% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.3% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 8.9% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $63,900 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 42.7% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.1% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.4% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
28.3 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, 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 Dallas. 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, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
Compare More Cities
Dallas, TX vs New York, NYDallas, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dallas, TXDallas, TX vs Houston, TXDallas, TX vs Phoenix, AZDallas, TX vs Philadelphia, PA