Cost of Living in Winston-Salem, NC - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,105 (excluding rent), and $2,372 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,696 (excluding rent), and $4,757 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.85 $19.85

$12.22 $12.22

$35.63 $35.63

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75 $75

$50 $50

$120 $120

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.03 $10.03

$8.52 $8.52

$15.04 $15.04

Cappuccino

$5.47 $5.47

$4.11 $4.11

$6.16 $6.16

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$2.04 $2.04

$4.08 $4.08

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.23 $1.23

$2.96 $2.96

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.53 $5.53

$3.94 $3.94

$9.84 $9.84

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.05 $6.05

$5.05 $5.05

$12.11 $12.11

Milk (1 liter)

$0.92 $0.92

$0.5 $0.5

$1.76 $1.76

White Bread (500g)

$4.05 $4.05

$2.16 $2.16

$5.42 $5.42

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.13 $3.13

$2.14 $2.14

$10.74 $10.74

Eggs

$4.61 $4.61

$2.25 $2.25

$7.86 $7.86

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.5 $15.5

$5.54 $5.54

$22.15 $22.15

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.53 $11.53

$4.45 $4.45

$17.79 $17.79

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$25.9 $25.9

$9.78 $9.78

$43.47 $43.47

Apples (1kg)

$6.87 $6.87

$2.21 $2.21

$11.05 $11.05

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 $1.46

$1.1 $1.1

$4.5 $4.5

Oranges (1kg)

$5.49 $5.49

$2.13 $2.13

$8.56 $8.56

Tomato (1kg)

$6.35 $6.35

$2.25 $2.25

$10.15 $10.15

Potato (1kg)

$3.57 $3.57

$1.53 $1.53

$8.74 $8.74

Onion (1kg)

$4.02 $4.02

$2.14 $2.14

$10.73 $10.73

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.19 $2.19

$0.99 $0.99

$5.94 $5.94

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.15 $2.15

$1.46 $1.46

$7.79 $7.79

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.07 $6.07

$5.05 $5.05

$9.05 $9.05

Wine (Bottle)

$13.21 $13.21

$7.11 $7.11

$18.29 $18.29

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 $1.63

$1.06 $1.06

$2.83 $2.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.1 $3.1

$2.03 $2.03

$7.1 $7.1

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.98 $0.98

$1.96 $1.96

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64 $64

$29.54 $29.54

$98.5 $98.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.91 $1.91

$6.85 $6.85

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.68 $1.68

$1.52 $1.52

$2.44 $2.44

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$15.23 $15.23

$30.46 $30.46

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.85 $0.85

$0.77 $0.77

$1.08 $1.08

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$28.8K $28.8K

$22.7K $22.7K

$34.9K $34.9K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27K $27K

$24.6K $24.6K

$36.6K $36.6K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$191 $191

$139 $139

$305 $305

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$52.5 $52.5

$29.89 $29.89

$98.7 $98.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.3 $70.3

$39.73 $39.73

$298 $298

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$17.28 $17.28

$9.87 $9.87

$24.68 $24.68

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.2 $15.2

Cinema Ticket

$13.07 $13.07

$9.05 $9.05

$20.1 $20.1

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,491 $1,491

$999 $999

$1,899 $1,899

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.9K $23.9K

$15.9K $15.9K

$33.1K $33.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.44 $45.44

$24.56 $24.56

$98.3 $98.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.37 $22.37

$17.03 $17.03

$80.2 $80.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$65.7 $65.7

$39.23 $39.23

$147 $147

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$103 $103

$40.33 $40.33

$247 $247

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,480 $1,480

$844 $844

$1,987 $1,987

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,075 $1,075

$599 $599

$1,499 $1,499

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,285 $2,285

$1,618 $1,618

$3,539 $3,539

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,723 $1,723

$1,188 $1,188

$2,872 $2,872

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$9,743 $9,743

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,892 $4,892

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,416 $3,416

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.53

6.15

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 23, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Winston-Salem, NC - Frequently Asked Questions

In broad terms, the city balances value with quality of life, offering a lively center without the price tag of larger metros. If you're weighing the Cost of Living in Winston-Salem, NC, United States, you’ll see housing and everyday expenses sit in an approachable range for the Southeast, with a mix of rental options and occasional longer-term leases that stay reasonable compared with major coastal cities. You’ll enjoy walkable neighborhoods, a growing cafe and coworking scene, and seasonal events that help you stretch a budget. Tip: map a two-week sample schedule and track where your cash goes to spot savings opportunities.

For a day-to-day life, housing options range from compact apartments in the West End to larger homes in historic districts. For a sense of Winston-Salem, NC, United States living cost, neighborhoods vary, with shorter commutes around the downtown core and quieter blocks a short ride away. You’ll find casual eateries, coffee shops with long hours ideal for work, and coworking spaces with flexible passes. Groceries and fresh markets are convenient, and transit options include buses, bike lanes, and ride-sharing. Errands cluster where you live, so plan a few local trips to minimize backtracking. Tip: create a weekly route to cut trips and save on transport.

Quality of life comes from balancing rhythm and planning. Use a simple budgeting framework that separates fixed costs from variable ones, and set a monthly target for essentials, meals, and activities. In Winston-Salem, you’ll notice seasonality in events and crowds rather than dramatic price swings; summers offer outdoor markets and festivals, winters bring cozy cafés and indoor options. Neighborhood fit matters: a walkable core keeps errands easy, while a calmer suburb offers space and a longer lease. Tip: sample a neighborhood for a full week before committing to housing to see how well it suits work and life.