salaryWinston-Salem is the 5th-largest city in North Carolina that we track, with 252,037 residents. Rent is lower than in 60% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.7 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $58,280 a year. That is $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of North Carolina. It is number 76 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Winston-Salem with other big cities
Compare Winston-Salem to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Winston-Salem?
Share of households by yearly income. 19.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Winston-Salem
| Size | Winston-Salem | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,007 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,016 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,107 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,406 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,770 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Winston-Salem overall?
Everyday prices in the Winston-Salem metro area are 8% below the U.S. average (index 92.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Winston-Salem
Life in Winston-Salem
What jobs pay in Winston-Salem
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $135,710 | 12.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,840 | 13.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $130,730 | 13.4% |
| Lawyer | $126,250 | 13.8% |
| Software Developer | $124,130 | 14.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,320 | 17.3% |
| Operations Manager | $96,840 | 18.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,930 | 18.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $86,120 | 20.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $84,170 | 20.8% |
| Accountant | $78,950 | 22.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $73,320 | 23.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,970 | 27.8% |
| Police Officer | $57,440 | 30.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $56,510 | 30.9% |
| Electrician | $56,100 | 31.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $55,360 | 31.6% |
| Truck Driver | $51,320 | 34.1% |
| Carpenter | $49,940 | 35.0% |
| Plumber | $49,240 | 35.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,810 | 38.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,660 | 45.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,410 | 45.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,160 | 47.1% |
| Firefighter | $35,730 | 48.9% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,600 | 50.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,100 | 58.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $29,550 | 59.2% |
| Cashier | $28,130 | 62.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Winston-Salem?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $165 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $233,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $23,380 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Winston-Salem, NC?
Renting in Winston-Salem costs a median of about $1,457 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Winston-Salem?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $58,280 a year, or $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Winston-Salem cheap or expensive?
Winston-Salem is rated OK: rent takes 27.4% of the typical household income of $63,921. It ranks 76th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Winston-Salem?
The median homeowner in Winston-Salem pays $2,025 a year in property taxes, about 0.87% of the median home value.
Is Winston-Salem more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 8% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Winston-Salem?
The median home value in Winston-Salem is $233,800, about 3.7 times the typical yearly household income.
252,037 people live in Winston-Salem. Numbers are typical (middle) values.