Winston-Salem vs Idaho Falls — side-by-side
Cost of living: Winston-Salem vs Idaho Falls (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Winston-Salem buys roughly what $60,000 does in Idaho Falls (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$1,640/yr
Favoring Idaho Falls for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $137/mo in Idaho Falls, 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 | Winston-Salem North Carolina | Idaho Falls Idaho | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,050 | $900Wins | Idaho wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Idaho |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,300 | $1,100Wins | Idaho wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Idaho |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,700 | $1,450Wins | Idaho wins −$250/mo | $3,000/yr saves in Idaho |
| Median home price | $260KWins | $310K | Winston-Salem wins +$50K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 95Better | 96 | Winston-Salem wins +1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $12 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Better | $50 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $45 | $35Wins | Idaho wins −$10/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.40 | Winston-Salem wins +$0.30 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145 | $132Better | Idaho wins −$13/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $150 | $142Better | Idaho wins −$8/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $65 | Winston-Salem wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $53K | $56KBetter | Idaho wins +$3K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.5%Wins | 5.8% | Winston-Salem wins +1.3 pp | $780/yr saves in Winston-Salem |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0% | 6.0%Wins | Idaho wins -1.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00 | $13.00Better | Idaho wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35 | $33Better | Idaho wins −$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Better | $5.50 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87Better | 87 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 26Wins | 18 | Winston-Salem wins -8 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 ~$2,400/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
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Winston-Salem vs Idaho Falls?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Winston-Salem is $1,300/month and in Idaho Falls is $1,100/month. Winston-Salem is more expensive by 18%.
How much do I need to earn in Idaho Falls to match a $75,000 salary in Winston-Salem?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Idaho Falls 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 Idaho Falls?
Winston-Salem has the lower state income tax rate at 4.5% vs 5.8%. The difference is 1.3 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 Idaho Falls?
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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