Winston-Salem vs Youngstown

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Winston-Salem has the same purchasing power as $73,214 in Youngstown.

Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $76,829 in Winston-Salem.

Living in Winston-Salem vs Youngstown

Housing Costs

Winston-Salem's housing index of 63 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $102,000. The $148,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,624 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Winston-Salem and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Winston-Salem vs $466/month in Youngstown. 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 99 in Winston-Salem and 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Winston-Salem vs $384 in Youngstown. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Winston-Salem and 90 in Youngstown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $52,600 in Winston-Salem and $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,619 and $42,195 respectively. Winston-Salem residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,227/month to housing in Winston-Salem vs $807/month in Youngstown. In Winston-Salem, median rent of $1,050/mo fits within this budget. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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