Living in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Winston-Salem · Census data 2020–2024
Winston-Salem has 252,037 residents with a median age of 35.9. The median household income is $59,268 (18% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $233,800, the median rent is $1,087/month.
Winston-Salem at a glance
- Population
- 252,037
- Median age
- 35.9State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $59,268State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $233,800State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,087/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 55.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39.5%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Winston-Salem a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 19% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 18% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 5.7%; a poverty rate of 17.7%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Winston-Salem
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Winston-Salem the median home value is $233,800, 30% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,087 per month, which is 30.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,459 a month in housing costs.
Winston-Salem median household income
The median household income in Winston-Salem is $59,268 and the income per person is $37,345. 17.7% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Winston-Salem: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 115,270
- Owner-occupied
- 55.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 44.4%
- Vacant
- 10.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1981
- Average household size
- 2.35
Winston-Salem demographics
- Population
- 252,037
- Median age
- 35.9
- Under 18
- 23%
- 65 and older
- 15.4%
- Households
- 103,058
- Foreign-born
- 11.2%
- Veterans
- 5.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Winston-Salem ›
Education in Winston-Salem
39.5% of adults 25 and older in Winston-Salem have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 16.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Winston-Salem
- Unemployment rate
- 5.7%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 14.1%
- Drive alone
- 71.7%
- Public transit
- 1.1%
- Walk to work
- 2%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.4%
Winston-Salem vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem | 252,037 | $59,268 | $233,800 | $1,087 |
| Walkertown | 5,873 | $82,615 | $236,900 | $1,379 |
| Bethania | 443 | $87,866 | $290,000 | $1,617 |
| Wallburg | 3,150 | $88,406 | $343,700 | — |
| Rural Hall | 3,466 | $51,054 | $189,600 | $967 |
| Clemmons | 21,871 | $87,655 | $335,800 | $1,269 |
| Midway | 4,897 | $83,446 | $274,100 | $778 |
| Lewisville | 13,828 | $100,917 | $325,400 | $1,095 |
| Kernersville | 27,830 | $71,918 | $290,700 | $1,082 |
More for people moving to Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Winston-Salem: FAQ
What is the median household income in Winston-Salem, NC?
The median household income in Winston-Salem is $59,268, 18% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Winston-Salem?
The median home value in Winston-Salem is $233,800, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Winston-Salem?
The median gross rent in Winston-Salem is $1,087 per month, about 30.4% of household income.
Is Winston-Salem, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 19% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes. Minuses: median household income 18% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 5.7%; a poverty rate of 17.7%.
What is the median age in Winston-Salem?
The median age in Winston-Salem is 35.9 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Winston-Salem?
The average commute to work in Winston-Salem is 22 minutes; 14.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Winston-Salem?
The unemployment rate in Winston-Salem is 5.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Winston-Salem?
39.5% of adults in Winston-Salem have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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