CostIndexUSA

Wichita, KS vs Winston-Salem, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableKS
Wichita
88.9
overall index
$1,150/mo rent
NC
Winston-Salem
92
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Wichita is slightly cheaper than Winston-Salem — 3.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Wichita, you would need $82,800 in Winston-Salem. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+7.9%
Wichita
66.2
Winston-Salem
71.4
🛒 Groceries+2.8%
Wichita
94
Winston-Salem
96.6
🚗 Transportation+4.7%
Wichita
98.5
Winston-Salem
103.1
🏥 Healthcare+4.7%
Wichita
89.1
Winston-Salem
93.3
Utilities≈ Equal
Wichita
88.5
Winston-Salem
88.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Winston-Salem, NC
$82,800
$2,800 more needed in Winston-Salem

Formula: salary × (92 ÷ 88.9) = salary × 1.0349. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Wichita, KS

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,150
Housing Index
66.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

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 7.9% higher housing costs compared to Wichita.

Income & Job Market

Wichita, KS

Median Household Income
$67,400
Per Capita Income
$38,400
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
397,532
Top Industries
AerospaceManufacturingHealthcareAgricultureEnergy

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).

Wichita, KS
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.