Nampa vs Winston-Salem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Nampa
Winston-Salem
The Verdict
Living in Winston-Salem costs 25.0% less than Nampa. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Nampa, you would need $60,000 in Winston-Salem.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Nampa has the same purchasing power as $60,000 in Winston-Salem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $93,750 in Nampa.
Living in Nampa vs Winston-Salem
Housing Costs
Nampa's housing index of 104 is higher Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $250,000. The $121,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,860 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Nampa compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 105 in Nampa and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Nampa vs $461/month in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Nampa and 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Nampa 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 102 in Nampa 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 $74,300 in Nampa and $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,762 and $62,619 respectively. Nampa residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,734/month to housing in Nampa vs $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/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 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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