City Comparison

Vienna vs Winston-Salem

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Vienna

Austria
88
Below Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$48,000
Median Income

Winston-Salem

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

The Verdict

4.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 4.8%, with Winston-Salem being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Vienna has equivalent purchasing power to $71,591 in Winston-Salem.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
105
Vienna
63
Winston-Salem
Groceries
85
Vienna
97
Winston-Salem
Utilities
98
Vienna
99
Winston-Salem
Transportation
102
Vienna
94
Winston-Salem
Healthcare
82
Vienna
103
Winston-Salem

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Vienna has the same purchasing power as $71,591 in Winston-Salem.

Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $78,571 in Vienna.

Living in Vienna vs Winston-Salem

Housing Costs

Vienna's housing index of 105 is higher Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $250,000. The $145,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,275/mo in Vienna compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 85 in Vienna and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $404/month in Vienna vs $461/month in Winston-Salem. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Vienna and 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Vienna vs $396 in Winston-Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 82 in Vienna and 103 in Winston-Salem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,000 in Vienna and $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,545 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 $1,120/month to housing in Vienna vs $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/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 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Winston-Salem is 4.8% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Vienna has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,591 in Winston-Salem, based on the cost of living difference.
Vienna's housing index is 105 with median homes at $395,000, while Winston-Salem's is 63 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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