Winston-Salem NC vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Winston-Salem
118,578
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Winston-Salem
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Winston-Salem
5.7%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Yonkers
17.3%
Yonkers +
Asian
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Winston-Salem
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 39.0 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 72.9% | 38.0% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 14.9% | 17.3% | Yonkers + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Yonkers
$42,770
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
Yonkers
35.2%
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,900 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,062 | $42,770 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.3% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.8% | 35.2% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Yonkers
47.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,013 | $685,544 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.8% | 47.2% | Yonkers + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Yonkers
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Winston-Salem
1999
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Yonkers
12.4%
Yonkers +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Yonkers
12.7%
Yonkers +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.4% | Yonkers + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.7% | Yonkers + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Winston-Salem
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Winston-Salem
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Yonkers, NY | 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.)
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 37.5 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, 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 434 in Yonkers. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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