San Antonio TX 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)
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Antonio
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
San Antonio
48.3%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
San Antonio
7.0%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
San Antonio
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 118,578 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.5 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 14.3% | 5.7% | San Antonio + |
| White | 48.3% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 7.0% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.3% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 64.4% | 8.9% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Antonio
$62,917
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
San Antonio
$32,983
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
San Antonio
5.8%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
San Antonio
17.1%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Antonio
28.7%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,917 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,983 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.1% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,035 | $265,013 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.4% | 46.8% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Antonio
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
15.2%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
24.5%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
16.0%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.9% | 42.7% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.4% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
68.5°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Antonio
34.9 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Antonio
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Antonio
26.5 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | San Antonio, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. 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, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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