Vienna vs Winston-Salem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Vienna
Winston-Salem
The Verdict
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
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
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases