Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Winston-Salem, NC (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Winston-Salem

North Carolina
71

Nashville is 55% more expensive than Winston-Salem.

$1,486/mo ↑ 44%
Median Rent
$1,033/mo ↓ 30%
$75,197/yr ↑ 30%
Median Income
$57,673/yr ↓ 23%
$383,100 ↑ 84%
Home Value
$208,200 ↓ 46%
$1,471/mo ↑ 41%
Owner Costs
$1,040/mo ↓ 29%
684,298
Population
250,887

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Winston-Salem, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $453/month cheaper in Winston-Salem, saving renters about $5,436/year.

Median household income is $17,524/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $208,200 in Winston-Salem.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Winston-Salem — common questions

Is Nashville 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 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Winston-Salem?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Winston-Salem it's $1,033/month — a difference of $453/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Winston-Salem?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $57,673 in Winston-Salem. Median household income is $17,524/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and North Carolina?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Winston-Salem?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/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 Nashville details → View Winston-Salem details →

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