El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
El Paso +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 118,578 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.5 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 5.7% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 3.6% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.3% | El Paso + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 8.9% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $265,013 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 46.8% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 42.7% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.4% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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