Greensboro, NC vs Winston-Salem, NC: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Winston-Salem, NC and Greensboro, NC are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Greensboro works out to about $74,300 in Winston-Salem, before taxes.
- Housing is 4.2% lower in Winston-Salem, goods 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,529 a month in Winston-Salem and $1,406 in Greensboro, $1,476 a year more in Winston-Salem (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $278,000 in Winston-Salem and $261,000 in Greensboro.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (1.1%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Greensboro and Winston-Salem
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Greensboro, NC
- Winston-Salem, NC
All items Greensboro, NC: 92.9 Winston-Salem, NC: 92.0
Goods Greensboro, NC: 96.6 Winston-Salem, NC: 96.6
Housing (rents) Greensboro, NC: 74.5 Winston-Salem, NC: 71.4
Utilities Greensboro, NC: 89.1 Winston-Salem, NC: 88.4
Other services Greensboro, NC: 98.2 Winston-Salem, NC: 98.2
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Greensboro, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 92.9 | 92.0 |
| Goods | 96.6 | 96.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 74.5 | 71.4 |
| Utilities | 89.1 | 88.4 |
| Other services | 98.2 | 98.2 |
| Category | Greensboro | Winston-Salem | Winston-Salem vs Greensboro |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 92.9 | 92.0 | −0.9% |
| Goods | 96.6 | 96.6 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 74.5 | 71.4 | −4.2% |
| Utilities | 89.1 | 88.4 | −0.7% |
| Other services | 98.2 | 98.2 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,406 | $1,529 | +8.7% |
| Typical home value | $261,000 | $278,000 | +6.5% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Greensboro | $75,000 | $74,300 | −0.9% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Greensboro and Winston-Salem has been fairly stable since 2008
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Greensboro, NC
- Winston-Salem, NC
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Greensboro, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 92.6 | 91.9 |
| 2009 | 91.1 | 90.7 |
| 2010 | 92.9 | 92.0 |
| 2011 | 93.8 | 93.2 |
| 2012 | 93.4 | 92.6 |
| 2013 | 93.3 | 92.6 |
| 2014 | 93.8 | 93.1 |
| 2015 | 93.7 | 93.0 |
| 2016 | 92.7 | 93.1 |
| 2017 | 92.4 | 91.6 |
| 2018 | 92.2 | 90.7 |
| 2019 | 90.3 | 89.3 |
| 2020 | 89.4 | 89.5 |
| 2021 | 92.7 | 91.6 |
| 2022 | 92.5 | 92.1 |
| 2023 | 92.9 | 91.6 |
| 2024 | 92.9 | 92.0 |
Goods
- Greensboro, NC
- Winston-Salem, NC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Greensboro, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.0 | 97.4 |
| 2009 | 94.9 | 95.4 |
| 2010 | 97.0 | 97.0 |
| 2011 | 96.7 | 97.0 |
| 2012 | 96.6 | 97.2 |
| 2013 | 96.6 | 97.1 |
| 2014 | 96.7 | 97.4 |
| 2015 | 95.9 | 96.5 |
| 2016 | 96.7 | 97.2 |
| 2017 | 96.5 | 97.1 |
| 2018 | 95.7 | 95.7 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 95.7 |
| 2020 | 95.4 | 95.4 |
| 2021 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| 2022 | 95.6 | 95.6 |
| 2023 | 96.8 | 96.8 |
| 2024 | 96.6 | 96.6 |
Housing (rents)
- Greensboro, NC
- Winston-Salem, NC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Greensboro, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 71.7 | 68.5 |
| 2009 | 70.8 | 67.1 |
| 2010 | 72.8 | 67.5 |
| 2011 | 73.8 | 70.2 |
| 2012 | 71.5 | 66.7 |
| 2013 | 71.5 | 68.5 |
| 2014 | 73.3 | 69.6 |
| 2015 | 73.0 | 68.3 |
| 2016 | 66.1 | 67.2 |
| 2017 | 68.9 | 64.5 |
| 2018 | 71.1 | 64.9 |
| 2019 | 68.9 | 64.5 |
| 2020 | 65.2 | 67.5 |
| 2021 | 71.0 | 66.3 |
| 2022 | 71.1 | 69.6 |
| 2023 | 74.0 | 68.8 |
| 2024 | 74.5 | 71.4 |
Utilities
- Greensboro, NC
- Winston-Salem, NC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Greensboro, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 87.8 | 86.4 |
| 2009 | 88.2 | 87.1 |
| 2010 | 89.6 | 88.9 |
| 2011 | 88.8 | 88.5 |
| 2012 | 91.1 | 90.4 |
| 2013 | 90.6 | 90.0 |
| 2014 | 90.7 | 89.8 |
| 2015 | 90.9 | 89.7 |
| 2016 | 88.3 | 87.2 |
| 2017 | 85.5 | 83.2 |
| 2018 | 87.5 | 86.2 |
| 2019 | 90.0 | 88.9 |
| 2020 | 88.3 | 87.4 |
| 2021 | 85.3 | 84.4 |
| 2022 | 83.0 | 81.9 |
| 2023 | 83.9 | 83.0 |
| 2024 | 89.1 | 88.4 |
Other services
- Greensboro, NC
- Winston-Salem, NC
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Greensboro, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.3 | 98.8 |
| 2009 | 97.5 | 98.2 |
| 2010 | 99.0 | 99.7 |
| 2011 | 100.5 | 101.2 |
| 2012 | 100.4 | 100.8 |
| 2013 | 100.2 | 100.3 |
| 2014 | 100.4 | 100.6 |
| 2015 | 100.8 | 101.1 |
| 2016 | 101.7 | 102.3 |
| 2017 | 99.9 | 100.5 |
| 2018 | 98.3 | 98.3 |
| 2019 | 95.8 | 95.8 |
| 2020 | 95.5 | 95.5 |
| 2021 | 99.6 | 99.6 |
| 2022 | 99.7 | 99.7 |
| 2023 | 98.7 | 98.7 |
| 2024 | 98.2 | 98.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,529 in Winston-Salem vs $1,406 in Greensboro
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Greensboro, NC
- Winston-Salem, NC
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Greensboro, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $756 | $798 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $769 | $811 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $769 | $819 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $773 | $810 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $778 | $823 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $787 | $840 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $797 | $840 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $793 | $836 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $808 | $854 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $818 | $872 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $823 | $874 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $821 | $872 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $835 | $891 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $851 | $913 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $859 | $914 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $859 | $915 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $876 | $935 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $896 | $959 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $897 | $957 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $908 | $954 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $923 | $986 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $936 | $992 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $962 | $1,029 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $969 | $1,034 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $994 | $1,071 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,036 | $1,129 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,089 | $1,172 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,120 | $1,192 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,154 | $1,229 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,193 | $1,269 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,223 | $1,306 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,227 | $1,285 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,243 | $1,318 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,269 | $1,344 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,278 | $1,359 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,279 | $1,342 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,293 | $1,371 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,330 | $1,397 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,336 | $1,409 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,335 | $1,415 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,339 | $1,426 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,361 | $1,461 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,372 | $1,462 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,367 | $1,451 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,377 | $1,484 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,396 | $1,493 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,406 | $1,529 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $278,000 in Winston-Salem vs $261,000 in Greensboro
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Greensboro, NC
- Winston-Salem, NC
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Greensboro, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $129K | $137K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $130K | $138K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $131K | $140K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $133K | $141K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $134K | $143K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $135K | $143K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $137K | $144K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $140K | $146K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $141K | $147K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $142K | $149K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $145K | $151K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $147K | $153K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $150K | $155K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $152K | $157K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $154K | $160K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $157K | $163K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $162K | $166K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $164K | $169K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $166K | $171K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $169K | $174K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $172K | $177K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $176K | $180K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $181K | $186K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $189K | $195K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $196K | $203K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $206K | $214K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $211K | $219K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $214K | $221K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $224K | $232K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $237K | $246K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $240K | $251K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $240K | $251K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $240K | $249K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $244K | $253K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $249K | $259K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $251K | $263K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $253K | $264K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $258K | $270K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $258K | $271K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $258K | $271K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $260K | $272K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $258K | $271K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $259K | $273K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $260K | $276K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $262K | $279K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $262K | $278K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $261K | $278K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.