Cost of Living: New York, NY vs Winston-Salem, NC (2026)

New York

New York
166
VS

Winston-Salem

North Carolina
71

New York is 134% more expensive than Winston-Salem.

$1,779/mo ↑ 72%
Median Rent
$1,033/mo ↓ 42%
$79,713/yr ↑ 38%
Median Income
$57,673/yr ↓ 28%
$751,700 ↑ 261%
Home Value
$208,200 ↓ 72%
$1,837/mo ↑ 77%
Owner Costs
$1,040/mo ↓ 43%
8,516,202
Population
250,887

Tax Comparison

10.9%
Income Tax
4.5%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.62%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and Winston-Salem, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $746/month cheaper in Winston-Salem, saving renters about $8,952/year.

Median household income is $22,040/year higher in New York. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 compared to $208,200 in Winston-Salem.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Winston-Salem slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

New York vs Winston-Salem — common questions

Is New York 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 166 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and Winston-Salem?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in Winston-Salem it's $1,033/month — a difference of $746/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or Winston-Salem?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $57,673 in Winston-Salem. Median household income is $22,040/year higher in New York.
How do taxes compare between New York and North Carolina?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to New York or Winston-Salem?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/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 New York details → View Winston-Salem details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for New York and Winston-Salem

New York vs. Allen New York vs. Los Angeles New York vs. Tuscaloosa New York vs. Chicago New York vs. Tyler New York vs. Houston Winston-Salem vs. Chesapeake Winston-Salem vs. Glendale Winston-Salem vs. Irving Winston-Salem vs. Garland Winston-Salem vs. Laredo Winston-Salem vs. Scottsdale