Washington DC 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)
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
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
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Washington
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Washington
39.1%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Washington
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 672,079 | 118,578 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.5 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 13.3% | 5.7% | Washington + |
| White | 39.1% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 43.3% | 14.9% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.3% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 11.6% | 8.9% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Washington
6.5%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,287 | $63,900 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $75,253 | $46,062 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $101,182 | $59,120 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.5% | 16.3% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 63.6% | 45.8% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Washington
$580,173
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Washington
41.1%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,173 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.1% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
398
Winston-Salem
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
1999
Winston-Salem
1999
Tie
| Metric | Washington, DC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.0%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 42.7% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.8% | 13.1% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 17.4% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 12.8% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.4% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | 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.)
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Washington
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Washington, DC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Washington
32.8 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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