Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Detroit
11.7%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 118,578 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.5 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 5.7% | Detroit + |
| White | 11.7% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 76.8% | 14.9% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.3% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $265,013 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 46.8% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Winston-Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 42.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.8% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.4% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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, Winston-Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.7%.
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