Cost of Living: Lexington vs Winston-Salem (2026)
Winston-Salem has a 2% lower overall cost of living than Lexington as of Q1 2026. A one-bedroom apartment runs $1,300/mo in Winston-Salem vs $1,350/mo in Lexington — a 4% difference.
- Winston-Salem is 2% cheaper overall (COL index: 89 vs 87)
- 1BR rent: $1,300/mo in Winston-Salem vs $1,350/mo — 4% savings
- Higher median household income: Lexington ($56,000/yr vs $53,000/yr)
- Median home price: $260,000 in Winston-Salem vs $270,000 — 4% difference
| Category | Lexington Kentucky | Winston-Salem North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,100 | $1,050Best |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,350 | $1,300Best |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,750 | $1,700Best |
| Median home price | $270K | $260KBest |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96 | 95Best |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Best | $12 |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $52 | $50Best |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $60 | $45Best |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Best | $3.10 |
| Car insurance/mo | $145Best | $145 |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $158 | $150Best |
| Internet/mo | $60Best | $60 |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||
| Median household income/yr | $56KBest | $53K |
| State income tax% | 4.0%Best | 4.5% |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.0%Best | 7.0% |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Best | $14.00 |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Best | $35 |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Best | $5.50 |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 89 | 87Best |
| Walk score / 100 | 38Best | 26 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Lexington cheaper than Winston-Salem?
No. Winston-Salem is 2% cheaper than Lexington based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 89, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Lexington vs Winston-Salem?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Lexington is $1,350/month and in Winston-Salem is $1,300/month. Lexington is more expensive by 4%.
How much do I need to earn in Winston-Salem to match a $75,000 salary in Lexington?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $73,315/year in Winston-Salem to match a $75,000 salary in Lexington. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Lexington or Winston-Salem?
Lexington has the lower state income tax rate at 4% vs 4.5%. The difference is 0.5 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Lexington 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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