CostIndexUSA

Joplin, MO vs Winston-Salem, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
NC
Winston-Salem
92
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Joplin is moderately cheaper than Winston-Salem — 7.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Joplin, you would need $85,900 in Winston-Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+32.2%
Joplin
54
Winston-Salem
71.4
🛒 Groceries+2.5%
Joplin
94.2
Winston-Salem
96.6
🚗 Transportation+5.5%
Joplin
97.7
Winston-Salem
103.1
🏥 Healthcare+5.5%
Joplin
88.4
Winston-Salem
93.3
Utilities+2.9%
Joplin
85.9
Winston-Salem
88.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Winston-Salem, NC
$85,900
$5,900 more needed in Winston-Salem

Formula: salary × (92 ÷ 85.7) = salary × 1.0735. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Joplin, MO

Median Home Price
$216,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
54
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.4×

Winston-Salem, NC

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

Winston-Salem has 32.2% higher housing costs compared to Joplin.

Income & Job Market

Joplin, MO

Median Household Income
$57,900
Per Capita Income
$33,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
50,843
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

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).

Joplin, MO
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.