Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Memphis
25.0%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 118,578 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.5 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.7% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.0% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 62.9% | 14.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.3% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 8.9% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $265,013 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Memphis +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 42.7% | Memphis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.4% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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, Memphis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.1%.
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