Is Philadelphia cheaper than Winston Salem?

No. Winston Salem is cheaper: typical rent is $1,138 a month versus $1,810 in Philadelphia — 37% lower. Median household income is $57,537 in Philadelphia compared with $72,400 in Winston Salem, so Winston Salem has the stronger local pay picture.

Which city is safer, Philadelphia or Winston Salem?

Philadelphia is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 75 versus 97 in Winston Salem — 23% lower (100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.

Which city has better schools, Philadelphia or Winston Salem?

School composites are close: A- in Philadelphia and A- in Winston Salem. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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City comparison

Philadelphia, PA vs Winston Salem, NC

Philadelphia, PA versus Winston Salem, NC is a real move, not a trivia matchup. This comparison uses the same 2026 neighborhood report data we publish on each city page — typical rent, median household income, crime indexes, school composites, and typical weather — so you can see which city actually fits how you live, work, and spend. Typical rents sit near $1,810 a month in Philadelphia and $1,138 in Winston Salem, and median household income lands at $57,537 versus $72,400. Open either city's full report when you want the block-level detail behind these headlines.

Philadelphia takes safety and weather, while Winston Salem takes affordability and job market. The widest gap is typical weather, where Philadelphia leads by 69% — the kind of spread you feel in a monthly budget or a nightly walk, not just on a chart. Read the category rows as a filter: if cheaper housing would change your life more than a stronger job market, weight rent first. If you are moving with kids, weight schools and crime. If you picked a city after one good weekend, use the weather and income rows to test whether that weekend survives a full year.

Numbers below are citywide, not a guarantee about the street you will actually live on. Two ZIP codes in Philadelphia can feel further apart than Philadelphia and Winston Salem do on paper. Use this page to pick a city, then use the Philadelphia and Winston Salem reports to pick a neighborhood — and visit in the season you like least before you sign anything.

Full Philadelphia report Full Winston Salem report

Philadelphia, PA

Rent: $1,810/mo
Median income: $57,537
Crime index: 75
Schools: A-
Weather: 75°F

Winston Salem, NC

Rent: $1,138/mo
Median income: $72,400
Crime index: 97
Schools: A-
Weather: —

Rent

37% cheaper

Winston Salem rent is 37% cheaper than Philadelphia

Philadelphia

$1,810/mo

Winston Salem

Winner

$1,138/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,138 a month in Winston Salem versus $1,810 in Philadelphia, so Winston Salem is 37% cheaper. That's roughly $672/month back in your pocket — $8,064/year. Over five years that's $40,320 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Philadelphia, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Winston Salem is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.

Median income

26% higher

Winston Salem's median income is 26% higher than Philadelphia

Philadelphia

$57,537

Winston Salem

Winner

$72,400

What this means for your life

Median household income is $72,400 in Winston Salem versus $57,537 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 26% higher in Winston Salem — about $14,863 more household income a year. Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Winston Salem is the stronger labor market on paper. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.

Crime index

23% lower crime

Philadelphia's crime index is 23% lower than Winston Salem

Philadelphia

Winner

75 (100 = avg)

Winston Salem

97 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Philadelphia's crime index is 75 versus 97 in Winston Salem (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 23% lower in Philadelphia. That gap is meaningful day-to-day — it affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Philadelphia is the easier city. Winston Salem can still work if you pick the right pocket — just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

School scores

Neck and neck

Philadelphia and Winston Salem are about even on school scores.

Philadelphia

A- · 84/100

Winston Salem

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Philadelphia, A- in Winston Salem). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better — at this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

69% more comfortable

Philadelphia weather is 69% more comfortable than Winston Salem

Philadelphia

Winner

75°F typical

Winston Salem

Comfort 52/100

What this means for your life

Philadelphia scores 69% more comfortable on this page's weather index, which rewards temperatures closer to a livable outdoor day. Philadelphia reads as warm weather most of the year; Winston Salem reads as a mixed climate. Climate affects quality of life more than most people anticipate when planning a move. Consider how much time you spend outdoors and whether extreme heat or cold impacts your mood or productivity. Philadelphia is the better default if you want year-round outdoor access. Winston Salem can still be right if you love that climate on purpose — beach heat, dry heat, or a real winter — but you cannot return a city's weather.

Fit check

Who should choose Philadelphia

Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing

Pick Philadelphia if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (75°F) beat Winston Salem on this page's weather index by 69%. Winston Salem may pay more or cost less, but Philadelphia is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Philadelphia is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 23% lower than Winston Salem (75 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.

Open the Philadelphia report →

Fit check

Who should choose Winston Salem

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Winston Salem is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 37% cheaper here at about $1,138 a month. Choose Winston Salem if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Winston Salem is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 26% higher here ($72,400). Start with Winston Salem if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

Open the Winston Salem report →

Bottom line

Philadelphia vs Winston Salem, called

If weather is your priority, Philadelphia is the clear choice.

If cost of living matters more to you, Winston Salem pulls ahead.

For most movers comparing these two cities, Winston Salem offers the better overall package.

Common questions

Philadelphia vs Winston Salem FAQ

Is Philadelphia cheaper than Winston Salem?: No. Winston Salem is cheaper: typical rent is $1,138 a month versus $1,810 in Philadelphia — 37% lower. Median household income is $57,537 in Philadelphia compared with $72,400 in Winston Salem, so Winston Salem has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Philadelphia or Winston Salem?: Philadelphia is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 75 versus 97 in Winston Salem — 23% lower (100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Philadelphia or Winston Salem?: School composites are close: A- in Philadelphia and A- in Winston Salem. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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