Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 118,578 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.5 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 5.7% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 28.1% | 14.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 8.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 16.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $265,013 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 46.8% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 398 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1999 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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