San Francisco 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)
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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 Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Francisco
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
San Francisco
39.7
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
San Francisco
40.5%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
San Francisco
5.1%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
San Francisco
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 118,578 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 34.2% | 5.7% | San Francisco + |
| White | 40.5% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 5.1% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 35.0% | 1.3% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 15.9% | 8.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
San Francisco
5.6%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,446 | $63,900 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,285 | $46,062 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 16.3% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 45.8% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
San Francisco
38.5%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,369,171 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
503
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
2388
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | San Francisco, 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
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
19.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 42.7% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.1% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 17.4% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 12.8% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.4% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
55.3°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
20.7 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Francisco
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Francisco
33.9 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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