Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Irving, TX
VS
Winston-Salem, NC
🏆 Irving leads 14 of 23 categories
Irving
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,686 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
254,962 ✓ Larger
Winston-Salem
North Carolina
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,416
Violent Crime Index
213⚠ High
Population
249,571
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Irving, TX
Pros
66% less violent crime than Winston-Salem
Households earn $22,270 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 49°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,423/mo
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, NC
Pros
Rent averages $467/mo less ($956 vs $1,423)
Homes cost $72k less ($187,400 vs $259,500)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Irving
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.4)
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 96°F
Cons
Median income trails Irving by $22,270/yr
Violent crime (809.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2921.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 4.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Irving
Median Income
$22,270
$76,686 vs $54,416/yr
Irving
Violent Crime
66% lower
275.4 vs 809.7 per 100k
Irving
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
4.1% vs 6.2% unemployment
Irving
Summer Heat
7.6°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°F vs 88.0°F
Winston-Salem
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 91.4 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Winston-Salem
Median Home Value
$72k less
$187,400 vs $259,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Irving, TX | Winston-Salem, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 91.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $259,500 | $187,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,423⚠ High | $956 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,686 ✓ Higher | $54,416 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min | 21.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.0% ✓ Higher | 10.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 ✓ Safer | 183⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 213⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | B+ (104) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.5:1 | 14.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% ✓ Higher | 35.5% |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 87.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | IRVING ISD | Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer | 48.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer | 88.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.0" ✓ Drier | 43.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.6" ✓ Less | 6.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 254,962 ✓ Larger | 249,571 |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 53.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.4% ✓ More | 23.4% |
| Over 65 | 8.3% | 14.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Irving's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Winston-Salem's 91.4 (US average = 100).
Winston-Salem is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Irving leads 14 of 23 categories. Irving wins 14 and Winston-Salem wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Irving to Winston-Salem or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($259,500 vs $187,400 median home), income ($76,686 vs $54,416), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Irving, TX and Winston-Salem, NC are about 976 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.