Nashville 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)
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Black
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 118,578 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 5.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 72.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashville
$59,097
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $63,900 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $46,062 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 45.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashville
$436,355
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $436,355 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashville
639
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashville
2350
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Nashville, 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
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 42.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashville
47.9 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashville
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Nashville, 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
Nashville
N/A
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 639 in Nashville. Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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