Quick answer
Winston-Salem costs $465/month less overall ($1,545 vs $2,010/mo). But Colorado Springs's 4.4% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $280/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Colorado Springs vs Winston-Salem
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Colorado Springs vs Winston-Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,450 | $1,450 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,800 | $1,450 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $465K | $385K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 | $125 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $395 | $320 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,010 | $1,545 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 36/100 | 68/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 24/100 | 32/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% ✓ | 4.75% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Winston-Salem's 1BR averages $1,100/month vs $1,450 in Colorado Springs — a $350/month difference, or $4,200/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Colorado Springs charges 4.4% state income tax vs 4.75% in Winston-Salem. On an $80K salary that's a $280/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,700 vs $5,280 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Winston-Salem are $385K vs $465K in Colorado Springs. At a 20% down payment, that's a $16,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Colorado Springs utilities run $40 more per month than Winston-Salem. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Colorado Springs, CO
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Colorado Springs. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Colorado Springs
High altitude (6,000 ft) creates cooler summers (75-85°F) and cold, snowy winters (10-25 inches annual snowfall); 300+ sunny days per year; dry desert-like conditions most of year; wildfire risk in surrounding forests; thin air at altitude requires acclimatization
Winston-Salem
Four seasons: hot summers (85-92°F June-Aug), cold winters (35-45°F Dec-Feb) with occasional snow. Spring and fall are mild and pleasant.
Job Market
Colorado Springs top industries
Winston-Salem top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Colorado Springs if…
- →You're a Military families
- →You're a Outdoor enthusiasts / climbers
- →You're a Aerospace professionals
- →You're a People seeking altitude and outdoor access
Move to Winston-Salem if…
- →You're a Remote workers wanting Southeast cost-of-living with real city infrastructure
- →You're a Healthcare and education professionals
- →You're a People wanting to buy a home affordably
- →You're a Anyone wanting four seasons, low taxes, and 40% cheaper cost-of-living than East Coast cities
- →You want to live without a car
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado Springs or Winston-Salem cheaper to live in?
Winston-Salem is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,545 in Winston-Salem vs $2,010 in Colorado Springs — a $465/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Colorado Springs or Winston-Salem?
Winston-Salem is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 36/100. Colorado Springs is more car-dependent.
Colorado Springs vs Winston-Salem: which has lower state income tax?
Colorado Springs has lower state income tax (4.4%). On an $80K salary, that saves $280/year vs Winston-Salem (4.75%).
Is Colorado Springs or Winston-Salem better for buying a home?
Winston-Salem has lower median home prices at $385K vs $465K in Colorado Springs — a $80,000 difference on the median home.