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Cost of Living · North Carolina

Winston-Salem Cost of Living

Winston-Salem, North Carolina costs approximately 9.0% below the US national average. Compare with 99 other major US cities.

0.91×
cost-of-living index (1.00 = US national average)
Winston-Salem ranks 4 of 4 cities in North Carolina by cost of living.
Cities MORE expensive than Winston-Salem (84)
San Francisco, CA
+59.3% more expensive
Oakland, CA
+48.4% more expensive
New York City, NY
+45.1% more expensive
Honolulu, HI
+42.9% more expensive
Irvine, CA
+42.9% more expensive
Los Angeles, CA
+34.1% more expensive
Boston, MA
+34.1% more expensive
San Diego, CA
+33.0% more expensive
Yonkers, NY
+31.9% more expensive
Anchorage, AK
+31.9% more expensive
Seattle, WA
+29.7% more expensive
Long Beach, CA
+29.7% more expensive
Anaheim, CA
+29.7% more expensive
Scottsdale, AZ
+29.7% more expensive
Chula Vista, CA
+26.4% more expensive
Miami, FL
+23.1% more expensive
Portland, OR
+20.9% more expensive
Newark, NJ
+20.9% more expensive
Sacramento, CA
+20.9% more expensive
Riverside, CA
+20.9% more expensive
Denver, CO
+18.7% more expensive
Chicago, IL
+15.4% more expensive
Austin, TX
+15.4% more expensive
Baltimore, MD
+15.4% more expensive
Stockton, CA
+15.4% more expensive
Aurora, CO
+15.4% more expensive
Hialeah, FL
+15.4% more expensive
Frisco, TX
+15.4% more expensive
Las Vegas, NV
+14.3% more expensive
Minneapolis, MN
+14.3% more expensive
Plano, TX
+14.3% more expensive
Chandler, AZ
+14.3% more expensive
Phoenix, AZ
+12.1% more expensive
Philadelphia, PA
+12.1% more expensive
Atlanta, GA
+12.1% more expensive
Tampa, FL
+12.1% more expensive
Henderson, NV
+12.1% more expensive
Reno, NV
+12.1% more expensive
Gilbert, AZ
+12.1% more expensive
Charleston, SC
+12.1% more expensive
Salt Lake City, UT
+12.1% more expensive
Orlando, FL
+11.0% more expensive
Wilmington, DE
+9.9% more expensive
Raleigh, NC
+9.9% more expensive
Virginia Beach, VA
+9.9% more expensive
St. Paul, MN
+9.9% more expensive
Chesapeake, VA
+9.9% more expensive
North Las Vegas, NV
+9.9% more expensive
Boise, ID
+9.9% more expensive
Fresno, CA
+9.9% more expensive
Worcester, MA
+9.9% more expensive
Dallas, TX
+8.8% more expensive
Nashville, TN
+8.8% more expensive
Colorado Springs, CO
+8.8% more expensive
Bakersfield, CA
+8.8% more expensive
St. Petersburg, FL
+8.8% more expensive
Madison, WI
+8.8% more expensive
Norfolk, VA
+7.7% more expensive
Jacksonville, FL
+6.6% more expensive
Charlotte, NC
+6.6% more expensive
Mesa, AZ
+6.6% more expensive
Houston, TX
+5.5% more expensive
Fort Worth, TX
+5.5% more expensive
Tucson, AZ
+5.5% more expensive
Glendale, AZ
+5.5% more expensive
Garland, TX
+5.5% more expensive
Spokane, WA
+5.5% more expensive
Pittsburgh, PA
+4.4% more expensive
Arlington, TX
+4.4% more expensive
Tallahassee, FL
+4.4% more expensive
Milwaukee, WI
+3.3% more expensive
Albuquerque, NM
+3.3% more expensive
New Orleans, LA
+3.3% more expensive
San Antonio, TX
+2.2% more expensive
Grand Rapids, MI
+2.2% more expensive
Columbus, OH
+1.1% more expensive
Detroit, MI
+1.1% more expensive
Cincinnati, OH
+1.1% more expensive
Kansas City, MO
+1.1% more expensive
Lexington, KY
+1.1% more expensive
Corpus Christi, TX
+1.1% more expensive
Buffalo, NY
+1.1% more expensive
Greensboro, NC
+1.1% more expensive
Knoxville, TN
+1.1% more expensive
Cities CHEAPER than Winston-Salem (12)
Indianapolis, IN
−1.1% cheaper
Louisville, KY
−1.1% cheaper
Omaha, NE
−1.1% cheaper
Memphis, TN
−2.2% cheaper
Oklahoma City, OK
−2.2% cheaper
Lincoln, NE
−2.2% cheaper
Birmingham, AL
−3.3% cheaper
Toledo, OH
−3.3% cheaper
Lubbock, TX
−3.3% cheaper
Wichita, KS
−5.5% cheaper
Fort Wayne, IN
−5.5% cheaper
Mobile, AL
−5.5% cheaper

What living in Winston-Salem costs

At 0.91x national costs, Winston-Salem is more expensive than 12 and cheaper than 84 of the 99 other metros here. In practical terms that is $1,000 a month for a one-bedroom and roughly $270,000 to buy.

The price-to-rent ratio here is roughly 23, which is high. Above about 20, renting and investing the down payment usually beats buying over a normal holding period — the purchase price is steep relative to what the same property earns as a rental.

Working and living here

Winston-Salem is a metro of roughly 0.7M and growing steadily, running on healthcare, biotech, higher education. Larger employers include Wake Forest Baptist Health, BB&T/Truist headquarters legacy, Reynolds American.

North Carolina taxes income at the state level, and Winston-Salem adds no separate city tax. Cost-of-living indexes exclude income tax entirely, so compare after-tax figures rather than index ratios when weighing this metro against one in a no-income-tax state.

Getting around: Winston-Salem is effectively car-dependent. Budget for a car — around $9,000 a year all-in once insurance, fuel, maintenance and parking are counted, a cost the index assumes but does not itemise.

Climate: Piedmont climate with mild winters near 32°F lows and hot humid summers with July highs near 88°F.

Historic home of the tobacco and textile industries (Reynolds American, Hanesbrands), now diversifying into biotech and healthcare around Wake Forest Baptist Health.

Related tools

Paycheck calculator — take-home after federal, state and local tax. Salary calculator — pay by job and state. Compare against another metro.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Winston-Salem expensive to live in?▾
Relative to the US average, no — the cost index is 0.91x, above 12 and below 84 of the 99 other metros tracked here. A one-bedroom averages $1,000 a month and the median home $270,000.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Winston-Salem?▾
A common rule keeps rent under 30% of gross income, which at $1,000 a month implies about $40,000 a year for a one-bedroom. That is a floor rather than a comfortable figure — it leaves nothing for savings or the car this metro effectively requires.