McKinney TX 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)
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
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
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
McKinney
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
McKinney
37.8%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
McKinney
3.0%
McKinney +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
McKinney
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 118,578 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.5 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 5.7% | McKinney + |
| White | 37.8% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 24.7% | 14.9% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.3% | McKinney + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 8.9% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
McKinney
$29,291
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
McKinney
4.8%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
McKinney
18.5%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $63,900 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 16.3% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
McKinney
$487,346
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,346 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 46.8% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
McKinney
18.3%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 42.7% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 17.4% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.8% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 14.4% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
64.2°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
40.0 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
McKinney
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
McKinney
35.6 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, 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 442 in McKinney. 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, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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