Richmond 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)
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Richmond
115,396
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Richmond
21.4%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 5.7% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 17.3% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 1.3% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 8.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $63,900 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 16.3% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 46.8% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Richmond, 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
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Richmond +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 42.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.4% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
37.7 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 Richmond. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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