CostIndexUSA

Spokane, WA vs Winston-Salem, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Spokane
100.3
overall index
$1,475/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Winston-Salem
92
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Winston-Salem is moderately cheaper than Spokane — 8.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Spokane, you would need $73,400 in Winston-Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing26.5%
Spokane
97.1
Winston-Salem
71.4
🛒 Groceries8.0%
Spokane
105
Winston-Salem
96.6
🚗 Transportation1.2%
Spokane
104.4
Winston-Salem
103.1
🏥 Healthcare1.3%
Spokane
94.5
Winston-Salem
93.3
Utilities3.1%
Spokane
91.2
Winston-Salem
88.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Winston-Salem, NC
$73,400
$6,600 less needed in Winston-Salem

Formula: salary × (92 ÷ 100.3) = salary × 0.9172. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Spokane, WA

Median Home Price
$406,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
97.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.9×

Winston-Salem, NC

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

Spokane has 26.5% lower housing costs compared to Winston-Salem.

Income & Job Market

Spokane, WA

Median Household Income
$72,800
Per Capita Income
$41,500
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
228,989
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationGovernmentManufacturingRetail

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).

Spokane, WA
4.1×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.