Salinas 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)
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
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
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 118,578 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.5 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 1.4% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.3% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 8.9% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $63,900 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 16.3% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 46.8% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Salinas, 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
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 42.7% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.1% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.4% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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