Winston-Salem wins overall by ~19% (COL index)
Cost of living: Winston-Salem vs Chicago (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Winston-Salem buys roughly what $73,793 does in Chicago (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
+$9,447/yr
Favoring Winston-Salem for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $787/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~20 months and still keep ~$94/mo for dining out.
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 | Winston-Salem North Carolina | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,050Wins | $1,500 | Winston-Salem wins +$450/mo | $5,400/yr saves in Winston-Salem |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,300Wins | $1,900 | Winston-Salem wins +$600/mo | $7,200/yr saves in Winston-Salem |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,700Wins | $2,600 | Winston-Salem wins +$900/mo | $10,800/yr saves in Winston-Salem |
| Median home price | $260KWins | $360K | Winston-Salem wins +$100K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 95Better | 102 | Winston-Salem wins +7 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Wins | $15 | Winston-Salem wins +$3/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Wins | $60 | Winston-Salem wins +$10/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $45Wins | $105 | Winston-Salem wins +$60/mo | $720/yr saves in Winston-Salem |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.40 | Winston-Salem wins +$0.30 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145Wins | $165 | Winston-Salem wins +$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Winston-Salem |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $150Better | $165 | Winston-Salem wins +$15/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $65 | Winston-Salem wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $53K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$14K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.5%Better | 4.9% | Winston-Salem wins +0.4 pp | $240/yr saves in Winston-Salem |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Wins | 10.3% | Winston-Salem wins +3.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Wins | $16.00 | Winston-Salem wins +$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Wins | $45 | Winston-Salem wins +$10/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Wins | $7.00 | Winston-Salem wins +$1.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87Wins | 107 | Winston-Salem wins +20 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 26 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +52 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
Park ~$7,200/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
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 Winston-Salem cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Winston-Salem is 19% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Winston-Salem vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Winston-Salem is $1,300/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Winston-Salem is cheaper by 32%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Winston-Salem?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $92,241/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Winston-Salem. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Winston-Salem or Chicago?
Winston-Salem has the lower state income tax rate at 4.5% vs 4.9%. The difference is 0.4 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Winston-Salem to Chicago?
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
More move scenarios
Planning a move?
Salary equivalent: Winston-Salem ↔ Chicago
How much would you need to earn in Chicago to match your Winston-Salem purchasing power?