Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 118,578 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.5 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 5.7% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 7.8% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.3% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 8.9% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $63,900 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 46.8% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 42.7% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 13.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.4% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.4% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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