Spokane Valley WA 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)
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
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
Spokane Valley
105,460
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane Valley
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Spokane Valley
37.6
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Spokane Valley
5.1%
Winston-Salem
5.7%
Winston-Salem +
White
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Black
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Spokane Valley +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Spokane Valley
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,460 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 5.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| White | 85.1% | 72.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 1.4% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.3% | Spokane Valley + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane Valley
24.8%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,722 | $63,900 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,235 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 16.3% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.8% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,734 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 46.8% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane Valley
3409
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 398 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 42.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 12.8% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane Valley
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane Valley
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Spokane Valley, WA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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