Irving vs Winston-Salem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Irving
Winston-Salem
The Verdict
Winston-Salem is 19.0% less expensive than Irving overall. A household earning $75,000 in Irving would need approximately $63,000 in Winston-Salem to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $63,000 in Winston-Salem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $89,286 in Irving.
Living in Irving vs Winston-Salem
Housing Costs
Irving's housing index of 94 is higher Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $250,000. The $68,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,416 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving vs $461/month in Winston-Salem. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Irving and 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving vs $396 in Winston-Salem. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Irving and 103 in Winston-Salem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $62,619 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. 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 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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