New Haven CT 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)
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
New Haven
36.8%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 118,578 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.5 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 5.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 30.6% | 14.9% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 1.3% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 8.9% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $59,120 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 398 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1999 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 42.7% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.1% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.4% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.4% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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