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Winston-Salem, NC

Cost of living in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Forsyth County, NC

Part of the Winston Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,991/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 386,740 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $992 33%
Federal tax $482 16%
Healthcare $480 16%
Groceries $327 11%
Transport $320 11%
Energy $187 6%
State tax $148 5%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Winston-Salem

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$945
per month
1 bedroom
$992
per month
2 bedroom
$1,163
per month
3 bedroom
$1,526
per month
4 bedroom
$1,794
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Winston-Salem

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$65,541
per year
Individual earnings
$39,511
per year
Per capita
$37,375
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Winston-Salem

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$227,800
Annual property tax
$1,934

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Winston-Salem

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$147
per month · 14¢/kWh
Natural gas
$40
per month
Annual total
$2,244
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Winston-Salem

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
10.5%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Winston-Salem

State and local tax rates for North Carolina.

State income tax
4.5%
Flat rate
State sales tax
4.8%
Combined sales tax
7.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Winston-Salem

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.9 min
Drive alone
75.4%
Public transit
0.8%
Work from home
12.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Winston-Salem

What it costs to live in Winston-Salem each month.

Single person
$2,991
per month
  • Rent $992
  • Energy $187
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $327
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $482
  • State tax $148
Couple
$4,267
per month
  • Rent $1,163
  • Energy $224
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $542
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $743
  • State tax $246
Family
$6,762
per month
  • Rent $1,526
  • Energy $280
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $822
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $743
  • State tax $246

Frequently asked questions about Winston-Salem

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Winston-Salem?

In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a one-bedroom apartment averages $992 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,163 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,526 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Winston-Salem?

In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the average household income is $65,541 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $39,511 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Winston-Salem?

The estimated cost of living in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is approximately $2,991 per month for a single person, $4,267 for a couple, $6,762 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Winston-Salem?

The combined sales tax rate in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is 7.00%, which includes the North Carolina state rate of 4.75% plus an average local rate of 2.25%.

Is Winston-Salem an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Winston-Salem, North Carolina would need approximately $2,991 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $65,541 per year ($5,462 per month). Winston-Salem has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Winston-Salem?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 10.5% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Winston-Salem?

The average home value in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is $227,800, with average annual property taxes of $1,934, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Winston-Salem compare to other areas?

You can compare Winston-Salem, North Carolina with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Winston-Salem is in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area.

Other counties in North Carolina

Browse the full list of counties in North Carolina, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in North Carolina

Compare Winston-Salem with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources