Minneapolis MN 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)
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
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
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 118,578 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.5 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 18.3% | 14.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 1.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 8.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $63,900 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $46,062 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $59,120 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 45.8% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 46.8% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 398 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1999 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 42.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.1% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.4% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.4% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
Compare More Cities
Minneapolis, MN vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Minneapolis, MNChicago, IL vs Minneapolis, MNHouston, TX vs Minneapolis, MNMinneapolis, MN vs Phoenix, AZMinneapolis, MN vs Philadelphia, PA