Springfield MA 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)
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
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
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Springfield
40.8%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 118,578 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 37.5 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 5.7% | Springfield + |
| White | 40.8% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 20.0% | 14.9% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.3% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 8.9% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 46.8% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 42.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | 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.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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