Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
229,228
Spokane +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Spokane +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 118,578 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.5 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 5.7% | Spokane + |
| White | 81.0% | 72.9% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.3% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $63,900 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 16.3% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 46.8% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 398 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 42.7% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.1% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.8% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.4% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Spokane 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 has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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