Reno NV 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)
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
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
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Reno
63.5%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Reno
3.2%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 118,578 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 37.5 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 5.7% | Reno + |
| White | 63.5% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 3.2% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 1.3% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 8.9% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $63,900 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $59,120 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 16.3% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 46.8% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 42.7% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.1% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 14.4% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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