Winston-Salem wins overall by ~1% (COL index)
Cost of living: Greensboro vs Winston-Salem (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Greensboro buys roughly what $59,318 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
−$79/yr
Favoring Winston-Salem for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $7/mo in Winston-Salem, 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 | Greensboro North Carolina | Winston-Salem North Carolina | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,050Better | $1,050 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,300Better | $1,300 | — | — |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,700Better | $1,700 | — | — |
| Median home price | $265K | $260KBetter | Winston-Salem wins −$5K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 95Better | 95 | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $12 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Better | $50 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $48 | $45Better | Winston-Salem wins −$3/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.10 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145Better | $145 | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $152 | $150Better | Winston-Salem wins −$2/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $60 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $52K | $53KBetter | Winston-Salem wins +$1K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.5%Better | 4.5% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Better | 7.0% | — | — |
| 🎬 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) | 88 | 87Better | Winston-Salem wins -1 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 28Better | 26 | Greensboro wins -2 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
Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem.
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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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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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
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Greensboro cheaper than Winston-Salem?
No. Winston-Salem is 1% cheaper than Greensboro based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 88, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Greensboro vs Winston-Salem?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Greensboro is $1,300/month and in Winston-Salem is $1,300/month. Greensboro is more expensive by 0%.
How much do I need to earn in Winston-Salem to match a $75,000 salary in Greensboro?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $74,148/year in Winston-Salem to match a $75,000 salary in Greensboro. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Greensboro or Winston-Salem?
Winston-Salem has the lower state income tax rate at 4.5% vs 4.5%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Greensboro to Winston-Salem?
It depends on your priorities. Winston-Salem offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. 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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