Philadelphia vs Winston-Salem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Philadelphia
Winston-Salem
The Verdict
Winston-Salem is 26.2% less expensive than Philadelphia overall. A household earning $75,000 in Philadelphia would need approximately $59,434 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 Philadelphia has the same purchasing power as $59,434 in Winston-Salem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $94,643 in Philadelphia.
Living in Philadelphia vs Winston-Salem
Housing Costs
Philadelphia's housing index of 107 is higher Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $240,000 vs $250,000. The $10,000 difference in home prices means roughly $648 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Philadelphia compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Philadelphia and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Philadelphia vs $461/month in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in Philadelphia and 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Philadelphia 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 101 in Philadelphia 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 $49,127 in Philadelphia and $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $46,346 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 $1,146/month to housing in Philadelphia vs $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Philadelphia, 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 44 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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