Cost of Living: Jacksonville, FL vs Winston-Salem, NC (2026)

Jacksonville

Florida
92
VS

Winston-Salem

North Carolina
71

Jacksonville is 30% more expensive than Winston-Salem.

$1,375/mo ↑ 33%
Median Rent
$1,033/mo ↓ 25%
$66,981/yr ↑ 16%
Median Income
$57,673/yr ↓ 14%
$266,100 ↑ 28%
Home Value
$208,200 ↓ 22%
$1,324/mo ↑ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,040/mo ↓ 21%
961,739
Population
250,887

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

24.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Jacksonville, FL and Winston-Salem, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 92 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $342/month cheaper in Winston-Salem, saving renters about $4,104/year.

Median household income is $9,308/year higher in Jacksonville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Jacksonville is $266,100 compared to $208,200 in Winston-Salem.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Jacksonville vs Winston-Salem — common questions

Is Jacksonville 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 92 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Jacksonville and Winston-Salem?
Median rent in Jacksonville is $1,375/month and in Winston-Salem it's $1,033/month — a difference of $342/month.
Which city has higher income, Jacksonville or Winston-Salem?
Median household income is $66,981 in Jacksonville and $57,673 in Winston-Salem. Median household income is $9,308/year higher in Jacksonville.
How do taxes compare between Florida and North Carolina?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Jacksonville or Winston-Salem?
It depends on your priorities. Jacksonville has a cost index of 92 with median rent of $1,375/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 Jacksonville details → View Winston-Salem details →

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