Winston-Salem and Birmingham receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Winston-Salem
Birmingham
Opportunity
54 · Bottom 47%
vs58 · Top 46%
Growth
62 · Top 30%
vs61 · Top 32%
Climate
78 · Top 7%
vs74 · Top 24%
Physical resilience
57 · Top 48%
vs50 · Bottom 43%
Housing affordability
93 · Bottom 45%
vs92 · Bottom 43%
Access
89 · Top 27%
vs97 · Top 12%
Economic stability
55 · Top 44%
vs51 · Top 49%
Measured values
| Metric | Winston-Salem | Birmingham | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 689,766 | 1,184,613 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $65,975 | $71,498 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $37,543 | $40,359 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 343/sq mi | 224/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $233,300 | $240,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,016 | $1,172 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 69.2% | 70.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% | 3.7% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.0% | -1.6% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.8% | 33.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | 13.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 4,629 | 4,727 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 6.7 | 4.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -3.2% | 32.4% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 88°F | 91°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 31°F | 35°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 56.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 23 mi | 8 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 25.6 min | 29.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.7 | 38.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Winston-Salem
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Birmingham
Elevated or high exposure: tornado.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Winston-Salem
70
Your Score
67
Area Score
Birmingham
69
Your Score
66
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Winston-Salem, NC Metro Area · Birmingham, AL Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology