Ruston, LA vs Winston-Salem, NC
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Winston-Salem
69.3
#1238 nationally
Ruston leads in crime level (11.7 vs 22.2). Winston-Salem leads in median household income ($54,416 vs $32,877). Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 21.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ruston, LA | Winston-Salem, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.3 (#911) | 69.3 (#1238) |
| Population | 22,233 | 252,975 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $229,937 | $265,029 |
| Median Household Income | $32,877 | $54,416 |
| Average Commute | 13.9 min | 21.6 min |
| Walk Score | 25 | 22 |
| Crime Level | 11.7 | 22.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 95 | 94 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+25.4 | D+13.2 |
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →
D+
69.3 Score
Winston-Salem, NC
Growing North Carolina city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$265,029
Population
252,975
Crime
High
Walk Score
22
Southeast
View Winston-Salem, NC →
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