City Comparison

New Haven vs Winston-Salem

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

New Haven

Connecticut
118
Above Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$42,158
Median Income

Winston-Salem

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

The Verdict

40.5%

Living in Winston-Salem costs 40.5% less than New Haven. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in New Haven, you would need $53,390 in Winston-Salem.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
137
New Haven
63
Winston-Salem
Groceries
106
New Haven
97
Winston-Salem
Utilities
124
New Haven
99
Winston-Salem
Transportation
102
New Haven
94
Winston-Salem
Healthcare
114
New Haven
103
Winston-Salem

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in New Haven has the same purchasing power as $53,390 in Winston-Salem.

Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $105,357 in New Haven.

Living in New Haven vs Winston-Salem

Housing Costs

New Haven's housing index of 137 is higher Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $250,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in New Haven compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in New Haven and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in New Haven vs $461/month in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 124 in New Haven and 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $496 in New Haven 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 114 in New Haven and 103 in Winston-Salem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $42,158 in New Haven and $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $35,727 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 $984/month to housing in New Haven vs $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In New Haven, median rent of $1,400/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 74 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Winston-Salem is 40.5% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in New Haven has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $53,390 in Winston-Salem, based on the cost of living difference.
New Haven's housing index is 137 with median homes at $250,000, while Winston-Salem's is 63 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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