Salem OR 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)
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
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
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Salem
69.8%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Salem
1.6%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 118,578 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.5 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 5.7% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.3% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 8.9% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $63,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 16.3% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 46.8% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Salem +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 42.7% | Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.1% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.8% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.4%.
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