Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 118,578 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.5 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 5.7% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 39.9% | 14.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.3% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 8.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $265,013 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 46.8% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1999 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | 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
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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