Greensboro, NC vs Winston-Salem, NC

Greensboro, NC and Winston-Salem, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.9% difference in their overall index. Greensboro scores 84 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 Greensboro is $1,114/month compared to $1,033/month in Winston-Salem — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Winston-Salem is more affordable at $208,200 median vs $221,300.

Median household income in Greensboro is $58,884 compared to $57,673 in Winston-Salem (+2.1%). Greensboro does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Greensboro spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, more than the 21.5% in Winston-Salem.