Kansas City MO 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 118,578 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.5 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 5.7% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 25.8% | 14.9% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 8.9% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $63,900 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 16.3% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $265,013 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 46.8% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 42.7% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.8% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. 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, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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