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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Winston-Salem

North Carolina
71

San Antonio is 15% more expensive than Winston-Salem.

$1,258/mo ↑ 22%
Median Rent
$1,033/mo ↓ 18%
$62,917/yr ↑ 9%
Median Income
$57,673/yr ↓ 8%
$219,700 ↑ 6%
Home Value
$208,200 ↓ 5%
$1,235/mo ↑ 19%
Owner Costs
$1,040/mo ↓ 16%
1,458,954
Population
250,887

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Winston-Salem, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $225/month cheaper in Winston-Salem, saving renters about $2,700/year.

Median household income is $5,244/year higher in San Antonio. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $208,200 in Winston-Salem.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Winston-Salem — common questions

Is San Antonio 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 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Winston-Salem?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Winston-Salem it's $1,033/month — a difference of $225/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Winston-Salem?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $57,673 in Winston-Salem. Median household income is $5,244/year higher in San Antonio.
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 San Antonio or Winston-Salem?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View Winston-Salem details →

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