CostIndexUSA

Ocala, FL vs Winston-Salem, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

FL
Ocala
95.2
overall index
$1,600/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Winston-Salem
92
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Winston-Salem is slightly cheaper than Ocala — 3.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Ocala, you would need $77,300 in Winston-Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing17.2%
Ocala
86.2
Winston-Salem
71.4
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Ocala
96.2
Winston-Salem
96.6
🚗 Transportation0.7%
Ocala
103.8
Winston-Salem
103.1
🏥 Healthcare0.6%
Ocala
93.9
Winston-Salem
93.3
Utilities+1.5%
Ocala
87.1
Winston-Salem
88.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Winston-Salem, NC
$77,300
$2,700 less needed in Winston-Salem

Formula: salary × (92 ÷ 95.2) = salary × 0.9664. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Ocala, FL

Median Home Price
$271,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,600
Housing Index
86.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.1×

Winston-Salem, NC

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

Ocala has 17.2% lower housing costs compared to Winston-Salem.

Income & Job Market

Ocala, FL

Median Household Income
$58,600
Per Capita Income
$33,400
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
63,591
Top Industries
HealthcareEquestrianManufacturingRetailAgriculture

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).

Ocala, FL
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.