Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Winston-Salem, NC (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Winston-Salem

North Carolina
71

Austin is 89% more expensive than Winston-Salem.

$1,655/mo ↑ 60%
Median Rent
$1,033/mo ↓ 38%
$91,461/yr ↑ 59%
Median Income
$57,673/yr ↓ 37%
$512,700 ↑ 146%
Home Value
$208,200 ↓ 59%
$1,747/mo ↑ 68%
Owner Costs
$1,040/mo ↓ 40%
967,862
Population
250,887

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Winston-Salem, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $622/month cheaper in Winston-Salem, saving renters about $7,464/year.

Median household income is $33,788/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $208,200 in Winston-Salem.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Winston-Salem — common questions

Is Austin or Winston-Salem cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Winston-Salem is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Winston-Salem?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Winston-Salem it's $1,033/month — a difference of $622/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Winston-Salem?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $57,673 in Winston-Salem. Median household income is $33,788/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Winston-Salem?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Winston-Salem has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,033/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Winston-Salem details →

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