City Comparison

Toronto vs Winston-Salem

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Toronto

Canada
93
Below Average
$615,000
Median Home
$1,825/mo
Median Rent
$55,000
Median Income

Winston-Salem

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

The Verdict

10.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 10.7%, with Winston-Salem being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Toronto has equivalent purchasing power to $67,742 in Winston-Salem.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
132
Toronto
63
Winston-Salem
Groceries
88
Toronto
97
Winston-Salem
Utilities
85
Toronto
99
Winston-Salem
Transportation
98
Toronto
94
Winston-Salem
Healthcare
72
Toronto
103
Winston-Salem

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Toronto has the same purchasing power as $67,742 in Winston-Salem.

Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $83,036 in Toronto.

Living in Toronto vs Winston-Salem

Housing Costs

Toronto's housing index of 132 is higher Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $615,000 vs $250,000. The $365,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,724 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,825/mo in Toronto compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $775.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 88 in Toronto and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $418/month in Toronto vs $461/month in Winston-Salem. Toronto offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 85 in Toronto and 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Toronto 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 72 in Toronto and 103 in Winston-Salem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 31-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,000 in Toronto and $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,140 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 $1,283/month to housing in Toronto vs $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Toronto, median rent of $1,825/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 69 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Winston-Salem is 10.7% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Toronto has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,742 in Winston-Salem, based on the cost of living difference.
Toronto's housing index is 132 with median homes at $615,000, while Winston-Salem's is 63 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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