Des Moines vs Winston-Salem — side-by-side
Cost of living: Des Moines vs Winston-Salem (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Des Moines buys roughly what $60,000 does in Winston-Salem (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$495/yr
Favoring Des Moines for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $41/mo in Des Moines, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Des Moines Iowa | Winston-Salem North Carolina | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $950Better | $1,050 | Des wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Des |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,200Better | $1,300 | Des wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Des |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,600Better | $1,700 | Des wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Des |
| Median home price | $255KBetter | $260K | Des wins +$5K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96 | 95Better | Winston-Salem wins -1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $12 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Better | $50 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $50 | $45Better | Winston-Salem wins −$5/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.10 | Des wins +$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $142Better | $145 | Des wins +$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $155 | $150Better | Winston-Salem wins −$5/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $60 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $62KWins | $53K | Des wins −$9K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.7% | 4.5%Wins | Winston-Salem wins -1.2 pp | $720/yr saves in Winston-Salem |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.9%Better | 7.0% | Des wins +0.1 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $14.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Better | $35 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Better | $5.50 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87Better | 87 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 36Wins | 26 | Des wins -10 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Des Moines fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Des Moines.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
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Invest the surplus on autopilot
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Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Des Moines vs Winston-Salem?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Des Moines is $1,200/month and in Winston-Salem is $1,300/month. Des Moines is cheaper by 8%.
How much do I need to earn in Winston-Salem to match a $75,000 salary in Des Moines?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Winston-Salem to match a $75,000 salary in Des Moines. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Des Moines or Winston-Salem?
Winston-Salem has the lower state income tax rate at 4.5% vs 5.7%. The difference is 1.2 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Des Moines to Winston-Salem?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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