Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Winston-Salem
5.7%
Winston-Salem +
White
Flint
34.4%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Winston-Salem +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.5 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 5.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| White | 34.4% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 56.6% | 14.9% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 1.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $265,013 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 46.8% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Flint, 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 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Winston-Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 42.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.8% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.4% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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