Virginia Beach VA 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)

Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia · Population: 457,066

  • Median HH Income$90,685
  • Median Home Price$427,121
  • Unemployment4.3%
  • Bachelor's+40.4%

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
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Virginia Beach
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Tie
Spanish at Home
Virginia Beach
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
46.8%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
1999

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
14.4%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +

Which City is Right for You?

Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.

Compare More Cities

About Virginia Beach & Winston-Salem