Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Rochester
41.5%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 118,578 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 5.7% | Rochester + |
| White | 41.5% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 37.5% | 14.9% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 1.3% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 8.9% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $265,013 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 42.7% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.8% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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