Raleigh vs Winston-Salem

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Raleigh has the same purchasing power as $61,765 in Winston-Salem.

Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $91,071 in Raleigh.

Living in Raleigh vs Winston-Salem

Housing Costs

Raleigh's housing index of 107 is higher Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $370,000 vs $250,000. The $120,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,800 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Raleigh compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Raleigh and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Raleigh 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 94 in Raleigh and 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Raleigh vs $396 in Winston-Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 108 in Raleigh 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 $67,266 in Raleigh and $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,947 and $62,619 respectively. Raleigh residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,570/month to housing in Raleigh vs $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Raleigh, 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 44 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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