Milwaukee 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 118,578 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.5 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 5.7% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 38.6% | 14.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 8.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $59,120 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $265,013 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 398 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1999 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Milwaukee +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 42.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Milwaukee, 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
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 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). For overall health outcomes, Milwaukee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.8%.
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