Roanoke vs Winston-Salem

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Roanoke has the same purchasing power as $77,778 in Winston-Salem.

Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $72,321 in Roanoke.

Living in Roanoke vs Winston-Salem

Housing Costs

Roanoke's housing index of 57 is lower Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $250,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Roanoke compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Roanoke and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Roanoke 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 116 in Roanoke and 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $464 in Roanoke 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 Roanoke 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 $52,700 in Roanoke and $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,062 and $62,619 respectively. Roanoke residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,230/month to housing in Roanoke vs $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/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 Utilities, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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