CostIndexUSA

Mount Vernon, WA vs Winston-Salem, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Mount Vernon
102.4
overall index
$2,125/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Winston-Salem
92
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Winston-Salem is moderately cheaper than Mount Vernon — 10.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Mount Vernon, you would need $71,900 in Winston-Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing34.0%
Mount Vernon
108.2
Winston-Salem
71.4
🛒 Groceries8.0%
Mount Vernon
105
Winston-Salem
96.6
🚗 Transportation1.2%
Mount Vernon
104.4
Winston-Salem
103.1
🏥 Healthcare1.3%
Mount Vernon
94.5
Winston-Salem
93.3
Utilities7.9%
Mount Vernon
96
Winston-Salem
88.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Winston-Salem, NC
$71,900
$8,100 less needed in Winston-Salem

Formula: salary × (92 ÷ 102.4) = salary × 0.8984. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Mount Vernon, WA

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,125
Housing Index
108.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.2×

Winston-Salem, NC

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

Mount Vernon has 34.0% lower housing costs compared to Winston-Salem.

Income & Job Market

Mount Vernon, WA

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
36,727
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailTourism

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).

Mount Vernon, WA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.