Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 118,578 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.5 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 5.7% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 72.9% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 1.3% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 8.9% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $63,900 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $46,062 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $59,120 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.6% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 16.3% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 45.8% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Madison, WI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 398 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1999 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 42.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.1% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.4% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.8% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.4% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Madison, WI | 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
Madison
21.2 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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