Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 118,578 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.5 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 5.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 58.4% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 13.4% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 8.9% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $63,900 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 16.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $265,013 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 46.8% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Oklahoma City +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 42.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.1% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. 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, Oklahoma City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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