CostIndexUSA

Sacramento, CA vs Winston-Salem, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Sacramento
106.7
overall index
$2,200/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Winston-Salem
92
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Winston-Salem is moderately cheaper than Sacramento — 13.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Sacramento, you would need $69,000 in Winston-Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing45.2%
Sacramento
130.2
Winston-Salem
71.4
🛒 Groceries8.2%
Sacramento
105.2
Winston-Salem
96.6
🚗 Transportation2.1%
Sacramento
105.3
Winston-Salem
103.1
🏥 Healthcare2.1%
Sacramento
95.3
Winston-Salem
93.3
Utilities41.6%
Sacramento
151.3
Winston-Salem
88.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Winston-Salem, NC
$69,000
$11,000 less needed in Winston-Salem

Formula: salary × (92 ÷ 106.7) = salary × 0.8622. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Sacramento, CA

Median Home Price
$566,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
130.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Winston-Salem, NC

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

Sacramento has 45.2% lower housing costs compared to Winston-Salem.

Income & Job Market

Sacramento, CA

Median Household Income
$95,000
Per Capita Income
$54,100
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
524,943
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareTechnologyEducationAgriculture

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).

Sacramento, CA
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.