Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 118,578 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.5 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 5.7% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 6.7% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 1.3% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 8.9% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $63,900 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 46.8% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 42.7% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.1% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.4% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.4% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 503 in Fresno. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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