CostIndexUSA

Lansing, MI vs Winston-Salem, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Lansing
95
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Winston-Salem
92
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Winston-Salem is slightly cheaper than Lansing — 3.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lansing, you would need $77,500 in Winston-Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing14.5%
Lansing
83.5
Winston-Salem
71.4
🛒 Groceries+3.1%
Lansing
93.7
Winston-Salem
96.6
🚗 Transportation1.3%
Lansing
104.5
Winston-Salem
103.1
🏥 Healthcare1.4%
Lansing
94.6
Winston-Salem
93.3
Utilities7.4%
Lansing
95.5
Winston-Salem
88.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Winston-Salem, NC
$77,500
$2,500 less needed in Winston-Salem

Formula: salary × (92 ÷ 95) = salary × 0.9684. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lansing, MI

Median Home Price
$234,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
83.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.0×

Winston-Salem, NC

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

Lansing has 14.5% lower housing costs compared to Winston-Salem.

Income & Job Market

Lansing, MI

Median Household Income
$70,000
Per Capita Income
$39,900
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
112,644
Top Industries
GovernmentAutomotiveHealthcareEducationFinance

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).

Lansing, MI
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.