Is Winston-Salem, NC cheaper than Louisville, KY?

Based on cost of living data, Winston-Salem, NC is 1.1% cheaper than Louisville, KY. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Winston-Salem, NC to live like I do in Louisville, KY?

If you earn $150,000 in Louisville, KY, you'd need approximately $149,000 in Winston-Salem, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Louisville, KY and Winston-Salem, NC?

Housing in Winston-Salem, NC is 0.0% cheaper than in Louisville, KY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,315/month in Winston-Salem, NC compared to $1,180/month in Louisville, KY.

How much can I save per month by moving from Louisville, KY to Winston-Salem, NC?

Moving from Louisville, KY to Winston-Salem, NC could save you approximately $83 per month, or $1000 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Louisville, KY vs Winston-Salem, NC: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Louisville, KY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $83.33/month moving to Winston-Salem, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $149.0K in Winston-Salem, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN area

Overall Cost

↓ 1.1%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$83.33

Savings

Annual Impact

$1.0K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Louisville, KY

Population:629K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$204K

Winston-Salem, NC

Population:250K

Cost Index:

(1% below avg)

Median Home:$254K

Louisville, KY

The Bluegrass State

629K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Kentucky, this city has a population of 629K residents.

Winston-Salem, NC

The Tar Heel State

250K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 250K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Louisville, KY vs Winston-Salem, NC

Category	Louisville, KY	Winston-Salem, NC	Difference	Change
Transportation	$1,311/mo	$1,202/mo	↓ $109less	8.3%
All Utilities	$464/mo	$519/mo	↑ $54.64more	11.8%
Healthcare	$564/mo	$601/mo	↑ $37.17more	6.6%
Other	$1,590/mo	$1,574/mo	↓ $16.74less	1.1%
Housing	$2,131/mo	$2,131/mo	→ $0	0.0%
Groceries	$959/mo	$959/mo	→ $0	0.0%

Transportation

↓ 8.3%

Louisville, KY

$1,311

Winston-Salem, NC

$1,202

Difference

$109

less

All Utilities

↑ 11.8%

Louisville, KY

$464

Winston-Salem, NC

$519

Difference

$54.64

Healthcare

↑ 6.6%

Louisville, KY

$564

Winston-Salem, NC

$601

Difference

$37.17

Other

↓ 1.1%

Louisville, KY

$1,590

Winston-Salem, NC

$1,574

Difference

$16.74

less

Housing

→ 0.0%

Louisville, KY

$2,131

Winston-Salem, NC

$2,131

Difference

same

Groceries

→ 0.0%

Louisville, KY

$959

Winston-Salem, NC

$959

Difference

same

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Louisville, KY: Louisville Occupational Tax$4,275/yr (2.9%)

Winston-Salem, NC has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$900

To$1,065

↑ $165

1 Bed

From$970

To$1,155

↑ $185

2 Bed

From$1,180

To$1,315

↑ $135

3 Bed

From$1,510

To$1,715

↑ $205

Louisville, KYZIP-level data

1BR range: $890–$1,490/mo

Winston-Salem, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $960–$1,260/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,020

Monthly in Louisville, KY

$6,986

Monthly in Winston-Salem, NC

$34.20

Difference

Home Values

Louisville

Winston-Salem

$204K

Median Value

$254K

↑ +3.2%

YoY Change

↑ +0.4%

↑ +31.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +37.2%

$88K - $467K

Price Range

$168K - $363K

Homes in Winston-Salem are 24% more expensive than Louisville

Calculate payment - Louisville Calculate payment - Winston-Salem

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $375

Per year

Monthly Difference

$31.25

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Louisville, KY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Kentucky State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

Winston-Salem, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

Additional Tax Information

Louisville, KY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

Property Tax:0.9%

Winston-Salem, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Louisville

Winston-Salem

50 Good

Air Quality

47 Good

50.8%

Good Air Days

57.4%

98 High

Climate Risk

92 Moderate

🌊🌡🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌪💨

▲+2.9°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.8°F

37 days

Heat Days >95°F

30 days

▲+2.9°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.8°F

37 days

Heat Days >95°F

30 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Kentucky and North Carolina on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

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Similar cost to Winston-Salem, NC

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd save $83.33/month moving to Winston-Salem, NC

Louisville, KY

Winston-Salem, NC

Louisville, KY

Winston-Salem, NC

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code15 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code8 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP15 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP7 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Louisville, KY

Winston-Salem, NC

Additional Tax Information

Louisville, KY Tax Rates

Winston-Salem, NC Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Winston-Salem, NC