CostIndexUSA

Cincinnati, OH vs Winston-Salem, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OH
Cincinnati
95.4
overall index
$1,525/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Winston-Salem
92
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Winston-Salem is slightly cheaper than Cincinnati — 3.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cincinnati, you would need $77,200 in Winston-Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing18.5%
Cincinnati
87.6
Winston-Salem
71.4
🛒 Groceries+3.0%
Cincinnati
93.8
Winston-Salem
96.6
🚗 Transportation0.9%
Cincinnati
104
Winston-Salem
103.1
🏥 Healthcare0.9%
Cincinnati
94.1
Winston-Salem
93.3
Utilities2.9%
Cincinnati
91
Winston-Salem
88.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Cincinnati to see what you'd need to earn in Winston-Salem to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Winston-Salem, NC
$77,200
$2,800 less needed in Winston-Salem

Formula: salary × (92 ÷ 95.4) = salary × 0.9644. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Cincinnati, OH

Median Home Price
$296,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
87.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Winston-Salem, NC

Median Home Price
$355,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
71.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.5×

Cincinnati has 18.5% lower housing costs compared to Winston-Salem.

Income & Job Market

Cincinnati, OH

Median Household Income
$77,800
Per Capita Income
$44,300
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
309,317
Top Industries
FinanceManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnology

Winston-Salem, NC

Median Household Income
$64,400
Per Capita Income
$36,700
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
247,945
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingFinanceEducationGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Cincinnati, OH
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Winston-Salem, NC
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.