Tucson AZ 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)
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
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
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tucson
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Tucson
58.2%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Tucson
5.0%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Tucson
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,348 | 118,578 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.5 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 13.7% | 5.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 58.2% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 5.0% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.3% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 42.7% | 8.9% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tucson
$54,546
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Tucson
$31,152
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tucson
$59,120
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Tucson
6.4%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Tucson
18.8%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tucson
30.2%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $54,546 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,152 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.2% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tucson
$324,946
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,946 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 46.8% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
450
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
2150
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tucson
18.3%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tucson
15.7%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tucson
14.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.1% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.4% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
69.8°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
12.2 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tucson
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tucson
23.9 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.9 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, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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