Is Boston, MA cheaper than Winston-Salem, NC?

Based on cost of living data, Boston, MA is 67.4% more expensive than Winston-Salem, NC. This translates to spending an extra $5056 per month.

What salary do I need in Boston, MA to live like I do in Winston-Salem, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Winston-Salem, NC, you'd need approximately $210,674.157 in Boston, MA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Winston-Salem, NC and Boston, MA?

Housing in Boston, MA is 147.6% more expensive than in Winston-Salem, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,865/month in Boston, MA compared to $1,315/month in Winston-Salem, NC.

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

Living in Boston, MA costs approximately $5056 more per month than Winston-Salem, NC, or $60674 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Winston-Salem, NC vs Boston, MA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Winston-Salem, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $5.1K/month more in Boston, MA

$150.0K in your current city equals $210.7K in Boston, MA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 67.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$5,056

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$60.7K

Per year

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

Winston-Salem, NC

Population:250K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$254K

Boston, MA

Population:685K

Cost Index:

167

(67% above avg)

Median Home:$961K

Winston-Salem, NC

The Tar Heel State

250K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Boston, MA

The Bay State

685K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Continental

Notable Facts

•Major education center
•Biotech capital
•Historic American city

Major Industries

EducationHealthcareTechnologyFinance

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Winston-Salem, NC vs Boston, MA

Category	Winston-Salem, NC	Boston, MA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,131/mo	$5,275/mo	↑ $3,144more	147.6%
Transportation	$1,202/mo	$1,830/mo	↑ $628more	52.3%
Other	$1,574/mo	$1,825/mo	↑ $251more	16.0%
All Utilities	$519/mo	$716/mo	↑ $197more	37.9%
Healthcare	$601/mo	$743/mo	↑ $143more	23.7%
Groceries	$959/mo	$1,079/mo	↑ $120more	12.5%

Housing

↑ 147.6%

Winston-Salem, NC

$2,131

Boston, MA

$5,275

Difference

$3,144

Transportation

↑ 52.3%

Winston-Salem, NC

$1,202

Boston, MA

$1,830

Difference

$628

Other

↑ 16.0%

Winston-Salem, NC

$1,574

Boston, MA

$1,825

Difference

$251

All Utilities

↑ 37.9%

Winston-Salem, NC

$519

Boston, MA

$716

Difference

$197

Healthcare

↑ 23.7%

Winston-Salem, NC

$601

Boston, MA

$743

Difference

$143

Groceries

↑ 12.5%

Winston-Salem, NC

$959

Boston, MA

$1,079

Difference

$120

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,065

To$3,095

↑ $2,030

1 Bed

From$1,155

To$3,255

↑ $2,100

2 Bed

From$1,315

To$3,865

↑ $2,550

3 Bed

From$1,715

To$4,630

↑ $2,915

Winston-Salem, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $960–$1,260/mo

Boston, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,560–$3,710/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.

$6,986

Monthly in Winston-Salem, NC

$11,469

Monthly in Boston, MA

$4,483

Difference

Home Values

Winston-Salem

Boston

$254K

Median Value

$961K

↑ +0.4%

YoY Change

↓ -0.7%

↑ +37.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +7%

$168K - $363K

Price Range

$709K - $3.40M

Homes in Boston are 279% more expensive than Winston-Salem

Calculate payment - Winston-Salem Calculate payment - Boston

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $375

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$31.25

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

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

Boston, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts 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

Additional Tax Information

Winston-Salem, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

Boston, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

💡 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

Winston-Salem

Boston

47 Good

Air Quality

36 Good

57.4%

Good Air Days

79.5%

92 Moderate

Climate Risk

94 Moderate

🌊🌪💨

Top Hazards

🌊🌅🌀

▲+2.8°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

30 days

Heat Days >95°F

6 days

▲+2.8°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

30 days

Heat Days >95°F

6 days

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

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Winston-Salem, NC on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Boston, MA

Other cities in a similar price range

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $5.1K/month more in Boston, MA

Winston-Salem, NC

Boston, MA

Winston-Salem, NC

Boston, MA

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code8 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code12 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP7 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP11 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Winston-Salem, NC

Boston, MA

Additional Tax Information

Winston-Salem, NC Tax Rates

Boston, MA Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Boston, MA