Wichita Falls TX 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)
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Wichita Falls
102,558
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Wichita Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Wichita Falls
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,558 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.5 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 5.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 70.1% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 12.9% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.3% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 8.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Wichita Falls
25.0%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,568 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,987 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $174,763 | $265,013 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 46.8% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Wichita Falls
442
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Wichita Falls
2339
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 42.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 28.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 15.8 min | 20.0 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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