If you’re considering moving to Winston-Salem, the low cost of living, relatively mild winters, and good local schools make it a tempting choice to consider.
Winston-Salem’s origin story is a tale of two cities. It started with the founding of Salem in the 1750s by members of the Moravian Church, and nearby Winston was founded nearly a century later in 1859. Both towns continued to grow, and by the early 1900s, the two cities eventually merged. By this time, the city had become well-known for manufacturing textiles as well as tobacco, which is where its nickname the “Camel City” comes from.
These days, Winston-Salem’s small-town feel and large-city conveniences are making it an increasingly popular place to move to. But before deciding to relocate to any city, it’s a good idea to weigh the pros and cons first. Courtesy of Jerry
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What you need to know about Winston-Salem before you move
Winston-Salem is home to a population of nearly 250,000 and covers over 134 square miles.
1. You’ll probably appreciate the low cost of living
The cost of living in Winston-Salem is nearly 20% less expensive than the national average.
Homeowners with mortgages in Winston-Salem, spent a median of $1,179 per month on ownership expenses (like utilities, HOA fees, and property taxes), according to data from the 2020 census. The median for those without a mortgage, by comparison, was about $412.
Meanwhile, the average rent for an apartment in Winston-Salem ranges from about $970 to $1,200.
At a local restaurant, you could generally expect to spend about $60 on a dinner for two. A coffee to go could cost about $3 to $5, while a pint of beer could cost about $4. When it’s time to make a trip to the grocery store, a gallon of milk could cost $4 to $5, a loaf of bread could cost $2 to $3, and a dozen eggs could cost about $3.
As is often the case, however, lower costs of living also usually come with lower salaries, and Winston-Salem’s average income also falls below the national average. The median household income in Winston-Salem, as of the 2020 census, was about $47,269.
The North Carolina
minimum wage remains the same as the federal minimum wage: $7.25 per hour. 2. The local job market is in good shape
Depending on your line of work, you could face a solid number of job prospects in the Winston-Salem area. Major employers in Winston-Salem occupy a diverse variety of sectors, from health care to education to finance.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, Novant Health, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, Truist, and Wells Fargo are some of the area's largest employers.
3. It’s a great place to get more knowledge
Winston-Salem is home to multiple colleges and universities, including Carolina University, Winston-Salem State University, Wake Forest University, and Salem College. If you’re living in the area and get the urge to pursue a new area of study, or just sit in on a single class, you’ll have access to a number of options to choose from.
A number of Winston-Salem’s public and private K-12 schools are also some of the highest-ranking schools in the state, making it an appealing place to consider if you have kids.
4. It’s also great if you’re looking for an older home
The history of Winston and Salem as cities dates back to the mid-1700s. Naturally, there’s been a number of homes constructed throughout the area since that time, and several neighborhoods have been officially designated as historic districts.
If you love the character and charm that comes with older homes, you’ll have a decent selection of them in Winston-Salem. Some of the best neighborhoods to look for historic homes would be Ardmore, WashingtonPark, and WestSalem.
5. You’ll likely need a car, but traffic congestion isn’t much of a problem
Winston-Salem’s urban sprawl covers an area of more than 134 square miles—so for most purposes, getting around Winston-Salem is easiest if you have your own car. Additionally, there is a local transit system
to help you make your way around the city, too. Luckily, traffic congestion in Winston-Salem isn’t too much of an issue. The mean travel time to work for Winston-Salem residents was about 21.1 minutes, as of the 2020 census. That’s slightly shorter than the national average of 26.9 minutes.
6. Expect a lot of rain, and maybe just a bit of snow
Like much of the South, summers in Winston-Salem can be described as warm and muggy. Average temperatures typically range from the mid-60s to the high 80s. Expect to experience plenty of rainfall throughout the year, too—the city gets an average of nearly 44 inches per year!
Come winter, it does snow a little in Winston-Salem—an average of about 6 inches per year. You probably won’t have to shovel your driveway as much if you’re used to living farther north. As a result, drivers in the area don’t get quite as much winter driving practice in, so when it does snow, expect to experience some delays in traffic.
January is the coldest month of the year, with an average low temperature of 28 degrees.
7. Call it Winston-Salem—or “Winston” for short
This piece of information might not make or break your decision to move to Winston-Salem, but nevertheless, it’s still helpful to know. Since “Winston-Salem” can become a mouthful in conversation, most locals just call the city “Winston” for short.
Does Winston-Salem live up to the hype?
Many locals describe Winston-Salem as a big city with a small-town feel. There’s plenty here to like: a solid job market, a low cost of living, good education opportunities, and relatively mild winters. The number of highly-ranked public schools also makes it a good option for families.
The city does have a number of nightlife and entertainment options, as well as a growing local arts scene. But for some, it may not be as active when compared to large metro areas, so it would be a good idea to look into local offerings first to determine whether the city seems compatible with your lifestyle.
Finding a place to live in Winston-Salem
One of the most challenging parts of any move? Finding a place to live. Luckily, housing costs in Winston-Salem tend to be fairly lower than national averages, whether you’re buying or renting.
Wondering if you can afford a house in Winston-Salem? As of August 2022, the median home sale price here was about $260,000, according to data from realtor.com
. If you’re looking to rent an apartment in Winston-Salem, you could generally expect to find a one-bedroom apartment for $970 to $1,100 per month. If you’re looking for more space, the average three-bedroom rent is closer to $1,554 per month.
It’s not just the size of your home that will affect your housing costs, it’s also the location. So when you start your house hunt in Winston-Salem, establishing a budget is a good place to start.
Once you have a better idea of what options are available to you, you can further narrow them down based on what other factors are important to you—like good area schools, proximity to a public park, or a quick commute time to work.
As you weigh your options, here is a sampling of Winston-Salem neighborhoods worth looking into:
Most iconic neighborhoods: Ardmore, Downtown, Arcadia, Old Town
Best neighborhoods if you’ve got kids: Ardmore, Atwood Acres, Mount Tabor
Best neighborhoods for foodies: Mount Tabor, Downtown, Ardmore
Best neighborhoods if you want to keep your car: Ardmore, Buena Vista, West Salem
Most affordable neighborhoods: Windsor Estates, Brookstown, Peace Haven
Be sure to visit the neighborhoods you’re considering in person before settling on where to live in Winston-Salem. That way, you can get a better sense of whether it’s the right fit for you.
Moving to Winston-Salem checklist
Once you’ve found the perfect place to call home, it’s time to prepare for your big move. No matter the size or the distance, any move can come with challenges. To help make your transition as soon as possible, here are some items you might want to add to your moving to Winston-Salem to-do list.
Before you go
Before you make your way to Winston-Salem with all your boxes in tow, remember to:
Find a reputable moving company and book your moving date in advance. If you’re not sure where to start, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shares a number of helpful tips
for finding movers and steering clear of scams. If you’re taking care of your move yourself, reserve a U-Haul (and learn how to drive it!) instead if you need one.
If you’re preparing for a long-distance move, you might want to consider whether it’s ideal for you to drive or ship your car.
Let important contacts know you’re moving—that includes your landlord, your employer, your insurance provider(s), and utility provider(s).
Update your address and set up mail forwarding with USPS
so you can stay up to date on important communications. Make sure your new renters or homeowners insurance policy
will be active once you’re officially moved into your Winston-Salem home.
After you get there
Once you’ve made it to Winston-Salem, you’re almost in the clear! There are just a couple more things you might need to do:
Did you move to Winston-Salem from out of state? If so, you’ll have to re-register your car in North Carolina and update your car insurance if you haven’t already.
Settle into Winston-Salem! Now that you’re officially a local here, it’s time to start settling in and getting familiar with all this city has to offer.
How to save on car, renters, and home insurance in Winston-Salem
Living costs are already quite low in Winston-Salem, but it’s just as important as ever to make sure you’re not overpaying for your homeowners insurance
or car insurance in Winston-Salem
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