City Comparison

Everett vs Winston-Salem

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Everett

Washington
136
Expensive
$575,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$75,400
Median Income

Winston-Salem

North Carolina
84
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$52,600
Median Income

The Verdict

61.9%

Living in Winston-Salem costs 61.9% less than Everett. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Everett, you would need $46,324 in Winston-Salem.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
192
Everett
63
Winston-Salem
Groceries
109
Everett
97
Winston-Salem
Utilities
92
Everett
99
Winston-Salem
Transportation
117
Everett
94
Winston-Salem
Healthcare
122
Everett
103
Winston-Salem

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Everett has the same purchasing power as $46,324 in Winston-Salem.

Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $121,429 in Everett.

Living in Everett vs Winston-Salem

Housing Costs

Everett's housing index of 192 is higher Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $575,000 vs $250,000. The $325,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,120 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Everett compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $750.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 109 in Everett and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Everett vs $461/month in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Everett and 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Everett vs $396 in Winston-Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 122 in Everett and 103 in Winston-Salem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $75,400 in Everett and $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,441 and $62,619 respectively. Winston-Salem residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,759/month to housing in Everett vs $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Everett, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Winston-Salem, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 129 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Winston-Salem is 61.9% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 136.
A $75,000 salary in Everett has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $46,324 in Winston-Salem, based on the cost of living difference.
Everett's housing index is 192 with median homes at $575,000, while Winston-Salem's is 63 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases