City comparison
No. Winston Salem's crime index is 203 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 225 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Winston Salem is cheaper. Median rent is $1,087 a month versus $1,397 in Philadelphia.
The cost gap between Philadelphia and Winston Salem is the real story here. Winston Salem comes in 22% cheaper on typical rent ($1,397 vs $1,087), which over a year adds up to $3,720. Median household income runs $61,953 in Philadelphia and $59,268 in Winston Salem.
Winston Salem is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Philadelphia makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Winston Salem is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Winston Salem at $1,087 average has pockets that run $887 and others at $1,487: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Philadelphia and Winston Salem are 384 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,087 a month in Winston Salem, down $310 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $59,268 in Winston Salem, down $2,685 (4%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 203 in Winston Salem, down 58 points (22%).
The move
Winston Salem and Philadelphia are 384 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,087 a month in Winston Salem to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, up $310 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $59,268 in Winston Salem to $61,953 in Philadelphia, up $2,685 (5%).
The crime index goes from 203 in Winston Salem to 261 in Philadelphia, up 58 points (29%).
Philadelphia, PA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Winston Salem, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Philadelphia and Winston Salem? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
22% cheaper
Winston Salem rent is 22% cheaper than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$1,397/mo
Winston Salem
Winner$1,087/mo
Typical rent runs $1,087 a month in Winston Salem versus $1,397 in Philadelphia, so Winston Salem is 22% cheaper. That's roughly $310/month back in your pocket ($3,720/year). Over five years that's $18,600 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.
Planning to buy in Winston Salem? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
5% higher
Philadelphia's median income is 5% higher than Winston Salem
Philadelphia
Winner$61,953
Winston Salem
$59,268
Median household income is $61,953 in Philadelphia versus $59,268 in Winston Salem, so typical pay runs 5% higher in Philadelphia (about $2,685 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
22% lower crime
Winston Salem's crime index is 22% lower than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
Winston Salem
Winner203 (100 = avg)
Winston Salem's crime index is 203 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 22% lower in Winston Salem. 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, Winston Salem is the easier city. Philadelphia can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
13% more comfortable
Winston Salem weather is 13% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
54°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 69/100
Winston Salem
Winner57°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 78/100
Philadelphia averages about 54°F (61°F highs); Winston Salem averages about 57°F (67°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Winston Salem averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Winston Salem scores 13% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Philadelphia if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Philadelphia is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 5% higher here ($61,953). Start with Philadelphia if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Winston Salem is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 22% cheaper here at about $1,087 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.
Pick Winston Salem if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (57°F) beat Philadelphia on this page's weather index by 13%. Philadelphia may pay more or cost less, but Winston Salem is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Winston Salem is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 22% lower than Philadelphia (203 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.
Bottom line
Philadelphia runs $1,397/month while Winston Salem sits at $1,087 — roughly 22% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Philadelphia-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Winston Salem rent at $1,087/month is still below Philadelphia's $1,397, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 54°F in Philadelphia and 57°F in Winston Salem.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Winston Salem; Philadelphia only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Philadelphia at $61,953 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Philadelphia and Winston Salem, plus other cities in PA and NC.
