Is Huntsville, AL cheaper than Winston-Salem, NC?

Based on cost of living data, Huntsville, AL is 5.9% more expensive than Winston-Salem, NC. This translates to spending an extra $444 per month.

What salary do I need in Huntsville, AL to live like I do in Winston-Salem, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Winston-Salem, NC, you'd need approximately $155,328.248 in Huntsville, AL to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Winston-Salem, NC and Huntsville, AL?

Housing in Huntsville, AL is 2.2% cheaper than in Winston-Salem, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,447/month in Huntsville, AL compared to $1,315/month in Winston-Salem, NC.

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

Living in Huntsville, AL costs approximately $444 more per month than Winston-Salem, NC, or $5328 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Winston-Salem, NC vs Huntsville, AL: 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 $444/month more in Huntsville, AL

$150.0K in your current city equals $155.3K in Huntsville, AL

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

Overall Cost

↑ 5.9%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$444

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$5.3K

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

Huntsville, AL

Population:226K

Cost Index:

106

(6% above avg)

Median Home:$310K

Winston-Salem, NC

The Tar Heel State

250K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Huntsville, AL

The Heart of Dixie

226K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Alabama, this city has a population of 226K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Winston-Salem, NC vs Huntsville, AL

Category	Winston-Salem, NC	Huntsville, AL	Difference	Change
Other	$1,574/mo	$1,705/mo	↑ $131more	8.4%
Transportation	$1,202/mo	$1,303/mo	↑ $100more	8.4%
Healthcare	$601/mo	$535/mo	↓ $65.69less	10.9%
Housing	$2,131/mo	$2,084/mo	↓ $47.22less	2.2%
All Utilities	$519/mo	$563/mo	↑ $44.00more	8.5%
Groceries	$959/mo	$999/mo	↑ $39.27more	4.1%

Other

↑ 8.4%

Winston-Salem, NC

$1,574

Huntsville, AL

$1,705

Difference

$131

Transportation

↑ 8.4%

Winston-Salem, NC

$1,202

Huntsville, AL

$1,303

Difference

$100

Healthcare

↓ 10.9%

Winston-Salem, NC

$601

Huntsville, AL

$535

Difference

$65.69

less

Housing

↓ 2.2%

Winston-Salem, NC

$2,131

Huntsville, AL

$2,084

Difference

$47.22

less

All Utilities

↑ 8.5%

Winston-Salem, NC

$519

Huntsville, AL

$563

Difference

$44.00

Groceries

↑ 4.1%

Winston-Salem, NC

$959

Huntsville, AL

$999

Difference

$39.27

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,065

To$1,138

↑ $73.00

1 Bed

From$1,155

To$1,257

↑ $102

2 Bed

From$1,315

To$1,447

↑ $132

3 Bed

From$1,715

To$1,864

↑ $149

Winston-Salem, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $960–$1,260/mo

Huntsville, ALZIP-level data

1BR range: $970–$1,710/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

$7,188

Monthly in Huntsville, AL

$202

Difference

Home Values

Winston-Salem

Huntsville

$254K

Median Value

$310K

↑ +0.4%

YoY Change

↓ -0.4%

↑ +37.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +29.4%

$168K - $363K

Price Range

$153K - $382K

Homes in Huntsville are 22% more expensive than Winston-Salem

Calculate payment - Winston-Salem Calculate payment - Huntsville

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $335

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$27.92

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.2%

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

Huntsville, AL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Alabama State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,794/month

$105.5K

Additional Tax Information

Winston-Salem, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

Huntsville, AL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.1%

Property Tax:0.4%

💡 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

Huntsville

47 Good

Air Quality

57 Moderate

57.4%

Good Air Days

26%

92 Moderate

Climate Risk

98 High

🌊🌪💨

Top Hazards

🌊🌡🌪

▲+2.8°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

30 days

Heat Days >95°F

41 days

▲+2.8°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

30 days

Heat Days >95°F

41 days

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

Where your money goes further

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

Similar cost to Huntsville, AL

Other cities in a similar price range

Austin, TX Nashville, TN Raleigh, NC

Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $444/month more in Huntsville, AL

Winston-Salem, NC

Huntsville, AL

Winston-Salem, NC

Huntsville, AL

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code8 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code10 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP7 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP9 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Winston-Salem, NC

Huntsville, AL

Additional Tax Information

Winston-Salem, NC Tax Rates

Huntsville, AL Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Huntsville, AL