Winston-Salem NC vs Worcester MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Winston-Salem
118,578
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Winston-Salem
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Winston-Salem
37.5
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Winston-Salem
5.7%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Winston-Salem
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 72.9% | 58.0% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 14.9% | 12.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,900 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,062 | $35,825 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.3% | 19.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.8% | 34.1% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,013 | $435,532 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.8% | 42.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Winston-Salem
398
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Winston-Salem
1999
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.5% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Winston-Salem
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Winston-Salem
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 27.3 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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