Ogden vs Winston-Salem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Ogden
Winston-Salem
The Verdict
Living in Winston-Salem costs 27.4% less than Ogden. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Ogden, you would need $58,879 in Winston-Salem.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Ogden has the same purchasing power as $58,879 in Winston-Salem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $95,536 in Ogden.
Living in Ogden vs Winston-Salem
Housing Costs
Ogden's housing index of 112 is higher Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $250,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Ogden compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Ogden and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Ogden 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 80 in Ogden and 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Ogden 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 91 in Ogden and 103 in Winston-Salem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $70,100 in Ogden and $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,514 and $62,619 respectively. Ogden residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,636/month to housing in Ogden vs $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Ogden, median rent of $1,250/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 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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