Springfield MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
169,432
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Springfield
3.8%
Winston-Salem
5.7%
Winston-Salem +
White
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Black
Springfield
4.3%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Springfield
1.7%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Springfield
5.6%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 118,578 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 37.5 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 5.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| White | 85.2% | 72.9% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.3% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$45,984
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$30,864
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$58,527
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
19.4%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
30.3%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,984 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,864 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
42.9%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,279 | $265,013 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
501
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
2418
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
20.0%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.1%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 42.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.8% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
56.3°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
45.6 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.5 min | 20.0 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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