CityCompare

Salt Lake City UT 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)

Salt Lake City, UT

Utah · Population: 203,888

  • Median HH Income$74,925
  • Median Home Price$580,126
  • Unemployment3.8%
  • Bachelor's+50.9%

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
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salt Lake City
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Salt Lake City
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
45.8%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
1999

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
14.4%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Winston-Salem
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +

Which City is Right for You?

Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.

Compare More Cities

New York, NY vs Salt Lake City, UTLos Angeles, CA vs Salt Lake City, UTChicago, IL vs Salt Lake City, UTHouston, TX vs Salt Lake City, UTPhoenix, AZ vs Salt Lake City, UTPhiladelphia, PA vs Salt Lake City, UT

About Salt Lake City & Winston-Salem

View Salt Lake City UT Profile →View Winston-Salem NC Profile →