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 49 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
Winston-Salem cost of living, in context
With a cost-of-living index of 0.91× the US national average, Winston-Salem sits below the typical American cost baseline. 84 of the 49 other major US cities we track cost more, while 12 cost less.
What drives the index: housing dominates (typically 30-40% of household budget), followed by transportation (~15%), food (~10%), healthcare (~10%), and utilities/services. Winston-Salem's lower costs reflect more affordable housing and a less constrained real estate market.
Salary in Winston-Salem
Salaries in Winston-Salem typically scale with the cost-of-living index. A professional earning $X in a national-average metro would expect approximately $91K for the same role in Winston-Salem. See our salary by job in Winston-Salem pages for specific role estimates across 50 jobs.
Related tools
Winston-Salem Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home with city/state taxes. Winston-Salem salary by job — 50 jobs. Inflation Calculator — purchasing power over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cost of living index for Winston-Salem?▾
Winston-Salem's cost-of-living index is 0.91× US average — meaning living costs are approximately 9.0% below the national average. Major drivers: housing, taxes, transportation. Index based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
Is Winston-Salem expensive to live in?▾
Winston-Salem is below US average cost of living, making it relatively affordable. Lower housing costs are usually the main reason.
What salary do I need to live in Winston-Salem?▾
Living comfortably in Winston-Salem typically requires income matching the local cost-of-living multiplier × what you'd need elsewhere. For a "moderate" lifestyle: household income of $45K+ is often suggested. Use our salary by city pages for job-specific estimates.
How does Winston-Salem compare within North Carolina?▾
Winston-Salem ranks 4 of 4 cities we track in North Carolina by cost of living. Within-state variation can be significant — major metros typically cost more than smaller cities or rural areas.
Where does this index come from?▾
BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP) — published annually by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. Reflects cost differences for the same basket of goods/services across metros. Useful baseline; specific items (housing, dining out) can vary much more than the overall index suggests.