St. Louis 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)
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
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
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
St. Louis
45.7%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 118,578 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 37.5 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 5.7% | St. Louis + |
| White | 45.7% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 43.1% | 14.9% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.3% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $265,013 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | St. Louis, 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
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 42.7% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.8% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | 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.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | St. Louis, 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
St. Louis
24.0 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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