Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Winston-Salem, NC (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Winston-Salem

North Carolina
71

San Jose is 258% more expensive than Winston-Salem.

$2,617/mo ↑ 153%
Median Rent
$1,033/mo ↓ 61%
$141,565/yr ↑ 145%
Median Income
$57,673/yr ↓ 59%
$1,187,800 ↑ 471%
Home Value
$208,200 ↓ 82%
$2,775/mo ↑ 167%
Owner Costs
$1,040/mo ↓ 63%
990,054
Population
250,887

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Winston-Salem, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,584/month cheaper in Winston-Salem, saving renters about $19,008/year.

Median household income is $83,892/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 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

San Jose vs Winston-Salem — common questions

Is San Jose 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 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Winston-Salem?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Winston-Salem it's $1,033/month — a difference of $1,584/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Winston-Salem?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $57,673 in Winston-Salem. Median household income is $83,892/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and North Carolina?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Winston-Salem?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Winston-Salem details →

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