Saint Paul MN 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 118,578 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 5.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 16.2% | 14.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 1.3% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 8.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $63,900 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $59,120 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 16.3% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 46.8% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 398 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1999 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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