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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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You'd save $169/month moving to Indianapolis, IN

$150.0K in your current city equals $148.0K in Indianapolis, IN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†“ 2.2%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$169
Savings
Annual Impact
$2.0K
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
Median Home:$254K

Indianapolis, IN

Population:888K
Cost Index:98
Median Home:$176K

Winston-Salem, NC

The Tar Heel State

250K
Population
State Tax
Yes

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

Indianapolis, IN

The Hoosier State

888K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Indiana, this city has a population of 888K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Winston-Salem, NC vs Indianapolis, IN

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†“ 8.5%
Winston-Salem, NC
$2,131
Indianapolis, IN
$1,949
Difference
$182
less
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†“ 4.2%
Winston-Salem, NC
$959
Indianapolis, IN
$919
Difference
$39.97
less
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†“ 3.1%
Winston-Salem, NC
$601
Indianapolis, IN
$582
Difference
$18.59
less
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 1.1%
Winston-Salem, NC
$1,574
Indianapolis, IN
$1,590
Difference
$16.74
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†“ 3.2%
Winston-Salem, NC
$519
Indianapolis, IN
$503
Difference
$16.39
less
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†“ 1.1%
Winston-Salem, NC
$1,202
Indianapolis, IN
$1,188
Difference
$13.66
less

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Local Income Taxes

Indianapolis, IN: Marion County Income Tax$3,030/yr (2.0%)

Winston-Salem, NC has no local income tax.

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

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,065
To$1,030
โ†“ $35.00
1 Bed
From$1,155
To$1,170
โ†‘ $15.00
2 Bed
From$1,315
To$1,360
โ†‘ $45.00
3 Bed
From$1,715
To$1,760
โ†‘ $45.00
Winston-Salem, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $960โ€“$1,260/mo

Indianapolis, INZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,080โ€“$1,870/mo

๐Ÿ’ก 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
$6,732
Monthly in Indianapolis, IN
$254
Difference

Home Values

Winston-Salem
Indianapolis
$254K
Median Value
$176K
โ†‘ +0.4%
YoY Change
โ†“ -1.1%
โ†‘ +37.2%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +26.9%
$168K - $363K
Price Range
$109K - $340K

Homes in Indianapolis are 31% less expensive than Winston-Salem

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $2.3K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$190
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
1.5%
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

Indianapolis, IN

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Indiana State Tax
Effective: 3.2%
$4.8K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 27.9%
$41.9K
Take-Home Pay
$9,012/month
$108.1K

Additional Tax Information

Winston-Salem, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%
Property Tax:0.8%

Indianapolis, IN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.0%
Property Tax:0.9%

๐Ÿ’ก 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
Indianapolis
47 Good
Air Quality
54 Moderate
57.4%
Good Air Days
36.6%
92 Moderate
Climate Risk
97 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒช๐Ÿ’จ
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+3.1ยฐF
30 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
18 days
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+3.1ยฐF
30 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
18 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between North Carolina and Indiana on TaxTakeHome.com

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