$MoveNumbers
Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $262/month more in Winston-Salem, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $153.1K in Winston-Salem, NC

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Memphis, TN-MS-AR area
Overall Cost
↑ 3.5%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$262
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$3.1K
Per year

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

Memphis, TN

Population:633K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$129K

Winston-Salem, NC

Population:250K
Cost Index:
103
(3% above avg)
Median Home:$254K

Memphis, TN

The Volunteer State

633K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax

Located in Tennessee, this city has a population of 633K residents.

💡 Advantage: Tennessee has no state income tax!

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: Memphis, TN vs Winston-Salem, NC

Housing
↑ 15.5%
Memphis, TN
$1,845
Winston-Salem, NC
$2,131
Difference
$286
more
Other
↓ 6.0%
Memphis, TN
$1,674
Winston-Salem, NC
$1,574
Difference
$100
less
Healthcare
↑ 14.1%
Memphis, TN
$527
Winston-Salem, NC
$601
Difference
$74.35
more
Transportation
↓ 3.3%
Memphis, TN
$1,243
Winston-Salem, NC
$1,202
Difference
$40.98
less
Groceries
↑ 2.1%
Memphis, TN
$939
Winston-Salem, NC
$959
Difference
$19.99
more
All Utilities
↓ 2.1%
Memphis, TN
$530
Winston-Salem, NC
$519
Difference
$10.93
less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,035
To$1,065
↑ $30.00
1 Bed
From$1,125
To$1,155
↑ $30.00
2 Bed
From$1,245
To$1,315
↑ $70.00
3 Bed
From$1,645
To$1,715
↑ $70.00
Memphis, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $940–$1,730/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.

$6,758
Monthly in Memphis, TN
$6,986
Monthly in Winston-Salem, NC
$228
Difference

Home Values

Memphis
Winston-Salem
$129K
Median Value
$254K
↓ -2.8%
YoY Change
↑ +0.4%
↑ +25.1%
5-Year Change
↑ +37.2%
$58K - $408K
Price Range
$168K - $363K

Homes in Winston-Salem are 97% more expensive than Memphis

Calculate payment - MemphisCalculate payment - Winston-Salem

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↓ $7.1K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$594
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
4.7%
Rate difference

Memphis, TN

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Tennessee State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

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

Memphis, TN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.5%
Property Tax:0.7%

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

Memphis
Winston-Salem
55 Moderate
Air Quality
47 Good
34.4%
Good Air Days
57.4%
99 High
Climate Risk
92 Moderate
🌊🌡🫨
Top Hazards
🌊🌪💨
▲+2.8°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.8°F
54 days
Heat Days >95°F
30 days
▲+2.8°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.8°F
54 days
Heat Days >95°F
30 days

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

Similar cost to Winston-Salem, NC

Other cities in a similar price range

Raleigh, NCCharlotte, NCDallas, TX

Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison