Norwalk CA 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.5 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 5.7% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 4.2% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 1.3% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 8.9% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $63,900 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 16.3% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 46.8% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 42.7% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.1% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.4% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.4% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while 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 503 in Norwalk. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Norwalk, CALos Angeles, CA vs Norwalk, CAChicago, IL vs Norwalk, CAHouston, TX vs Norwalk, CANorwalk, CA vs Phoenix, AZNorwalk, CA vs Philadelphia, PA