Fayetteville, NC vs Winston-Salem, NC

Fayetteville, NC and Winston-Salem, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.9% difference in their overall index. Fayetteville scores 82 while Winston-Salem scores 80 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fayetteville is $1,179/month compared to $1,033/month in Winston-Salem — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Winston-Salem has cheaper rent, Fayetteville actually has lower median home values ($171,900 vs $208,200).

Median household income in Fayetteville is $56,395 compared to $57,673 in Winston-Salem (-2.2%). Winston-Salem offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fayetteville spend roughly 25.1% of their income on rent, more than the 21.5% in Winston-Salem.