Rows tagged local are specific to Winston-Salem (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Winston-Salem, NC. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 5/10 (district Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
91.6
metro-area
#51 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
96.8
metro-area
#106 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.21
metro-area
#51 of 200 metros
Median household income
$54,416
local
#2837 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$34,162
local
#2698 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
40.6 years
metro-area
#158 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
29.6%
metro-area
#141 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
7.3%
metro-area
#114 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
68.5%
metro-area
#65 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
6.18%
local
#2345 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+3.9%
local
#1466 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$187,400
local
#501 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.4×
local
#1144 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+2.8%
metro-area
#59 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$94
local
#404 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$956
local
#316 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,379
Median days on market
14
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.9%
state
#88 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.98%
state
#55 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
4.25%
Capital gains tax
4.25%
state
#78 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.00%
local
#1671 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,873
local
#574 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
75.0 years
metro-area
#153 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,600
state
#65 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
11.7%
metro-area
#148 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
77
metro-area
#95 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$10,000
state
#58 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$130
state
#107 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.10% of value (~$308/yr)
state
#146 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
22 min
local
#473 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
77.9%
metro-area
#144 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
30.3%
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
16.3¢/kWh
state
#72 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$146
state
#72 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.20/gal
state
#63 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$62
state
#69 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#36 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$80
state
#106 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,000
state
#110 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#18 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
81.0 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#33 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$800
state
#120 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
50
metro-area
#132 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,600
metro-area
#119 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
91%
state
#115 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
3,400
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
31
metro-area
#101 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
89°F
metro-area
#113 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
30°F
metro-area
#89 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
43.6"
metro-area
#101 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
5.2"
metro-area
#89 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
58%
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
7b
Frost window
04-01 → 11-10
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
400
state
#100 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,200
state
#98 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.