City Comparison

Warwick vs Winston-Salem

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

Winston-Salem

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

The Verdict

26.2%

Living in Winston-Salem costs 26.2% less than Warwick. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Warwick, you would need $59,434 in Winston-Salem.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
127
Warwick
63
Winston-Salem
Groceries
102
Warwick
97
Winston-Salem
Utilities
112
Warwick
99
Winston-Salem
Transportation
105
Warwick
94
Winston-Salem
Healthcare
103
Warwick
103
Winston-Salem

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Warwick has the same purchasing power as $59,434 in Winston-Salem.

Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $94,643 in Warwick.

Living in Warwick vs Winston-Salem

Housing Costs

Warwick's housing index of 127 is higher Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $413,000 vs $250,000. The $163,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,596 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Warwick compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Warwick and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Warwick 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 112 in Warwick and 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $448 in Warwick 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 103 in Warwick 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 $74,600 in Warwick and $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,377 and $62,619 respectively. Warwick residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,741/month to housing in Warwick vs $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/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 64 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Winston-Salem is 26.2% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Warwick has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,434 in Winston-Salem, based on the cost of living difference.
Warwick's housing index is 127 with median homes at $413,000, while Winston-Salem's is 63 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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