Winston-Salem is 11% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
I need in Winston-Salem to live the same way.
🏠 Rent per month
$1,983
$1,457
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,622
$1,107
💵 Families earn per year
$84,017
$63,921
🔑 Buying a house
$334,100
$233,800
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
103.6
92.0
🏛️ Property tax per year
$4,943
$2,025
⚡ Electric bill per month
$90
$136
👥 People living there
2,711,226
252,037
Commute to work
33.1 min
21.5 min
College degree
44.3%
39.5%
Own their home
46%
55.6%
Below poverty line
16.8%
17.7%
Unemployment
8%
5.7%
Bottom line
- Pick Chicago for higher incomes, a more educated workforce, less poverty.
- Pick Winston-Salem for lower rent, cheaper 2-bedroom apartments, cheaper homes and 2 more.
Pay for the same job
| Job | Chicago | Winston-Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | $82,820 | $35,730 | -57% in Winston-Salem |
| Plumber | $103,380 | $49,240 | -52% in Winston-Salem |
| Police Officer | $107,810 | $57,440 | -47% in Winston-Salem |
| Electrician | $102,350 | $56,100 | -45% in Winston-Salem |
| Carpenter | $80,440 | $49,940 | -38% in Winston-Salem |
| HVAC Technician | $77,960 | $55,360 | -29% in Winston-Salem |
| Elementary School Teacher | $78,390 | $56,510 | -28% in Winston-Salem |
| Lawyer | $165,660 | $126,250 | -24% in Winston-Salem |
Frequently asked questions
Is Chicago or Winston-Salem cheaper to live in?
Winston-Salem is about 11% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,457 a month there versus $1,983 in Chicago.
What salary do I need in Winston-Salem to match $60,000 in Chicago?
About $53,309 a year gives the same standard of living in Winston-Salem.
Where do people earn more, Chicago or Winston-Salem?
The typical household earns $84,017 in Chicago and $63,921 in Winston-Salem, 31% more in Chicago.