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Raleigh vs Winston-Salem: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Raleigh is 11% more expensive than Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem is 11% safer. Raleigh population: 506,306. Winston-Salem population: 257,271.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingWinston-Salem
SafetyWinston-Salem
HousingWinston-Salem

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Raleigh vs Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 90 vs 100 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 10 index points.

CategoryRaleighWinston-Salem
Overall Index10090
Housing$2,100/moIndex: 118$1,638/moIndex: 92
Groceries$410/moIndex: 100$398/moIndex: 97
Transportation$350/moIndex: 100$343/moIndex: 98
Healthcare$320/moIndex: 100$314/moIndex: 98
Utilities$209/moIndex: 95$207/moIndex: 94

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Raleigh vs Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is 11% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.5 per 1,000 residents vs Raleigh's 26.5. Winston-Salem earns a C+ safety grade compared to Raleigh's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.

C+

Raleigh

North Carolina

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate26.5/1K
TrendDeclining
C+

Winston-Salem

North Carolina

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.5/1K
TrendStable
MetricRaleighWinston-Salem
Overall Crime Rate26.5/1K23.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate421.8392.4
Property Crime Rate2232.61953.3
Murder Rate7.17.0
Assault Rate354.9324.0
Robbery Rate62.078.5
Burglary Rate371.5330.8
Theft Rate1437.71657.0
Vehicle Theft Rate362.9253.9

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Raleigh, you have a 1 in 38 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in Winston-Salem.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for Raleigh. A full comparison requires both cities.

Raleigh Climate Overview

Annual High71.3°F
Annual Low50.5°F
Annual Rain43.1"
Annual Snow4.5"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthMay
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Raleigh cheaper than Winston-Salem?
Winston-Salem is 11% more affordable than Raleigh, with a cost of living index of 90 vs 100 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $2,100/mo in Raleigh vs $1,638/mo in Winston-Salem.
Is Raleigh safer than Winston-Salem?
Winston-Salem is 11% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.5 per 1,000 residents vs Raleigh's 26.5. Winston-Salem earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to Raleigh or Winston-Salem?
It depends on your priorities. Winston-Salem is safer (C+ grade). Winston-Salem is more affordable (index 90 vs 100). Raleigh has a population of 506,306 and Winston-Salem has 257,271. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Raleigh compared to Winston-Salem?
Raleigh has a population of 506,306 and Winston-Salem has 257,271. Raleigh is 97% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Raleigh or Winston-Salem?
Housing is cheaper in Winston-Salem. Estimated monthly housing costs: Raleigh $2,100/mo vs Winston-Salem $1,638/mo. That's based on a housing index of 118 vs 92 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

C+
Raleigh Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
Winston-Salem Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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