Quick answer
Memphis costs $90/month less overall ($1,455 vs $1,545/mo). Memphis also has lower state income tax (None vs 4.75%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Memphis 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
Memphis vs Winston-Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Memphis | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $980 ✓ | $1,450 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,220 ✓ | $1,450 |
| Median Home Price | $195K ✓ | $385K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $150 | $125 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $325 | $320 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,455 ✓ | $1,545 |
| Walk Score | 36/100 | 68/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 28/100 | 32/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | 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: Memphis's 1BR averages $980/month vs $1,100 in Winston-Salem — a $120/month difference, or $1,440/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Memphis charges None state income tax vs 4.75% in Winston-Salem. On an $80K salary that's a $3,800/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,700 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Memphis are $195K vs $385K in Winston-Salem. At a 20% down payment, that's a $38,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Memphis utilities run $25 more per month than Winston-Salem. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Memphis, TN
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Memphis. 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
Memphis
Hot humid summers, mild winters with occasional ice storms, high annual rainfall
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
Memphis top industries
Winston-Salem top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Memphis if…
- →You're a logistics / supply chain workers
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a musicians
- →You're a remote workers seeking extreme affordability
- →You want zero state income tax
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memphis or Winston-Salem cheaper to live in?
Memphis is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,455 in Memphis vs $1,545 in Winston-Salem — a $90/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Memphis or Winston-Salem?
Winston-Salem is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 36/100. Memphis is more car-dependent.
Memphis vs Winston-Salem: which has lower state income tax?
Memphis has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,800/year vs Winston-Salem (4.75%).
Is Memphis or Winston-Salem better for buying a home?
Memphis has lower median home prices at $195K vs $385K in Winston-Salem — a $190,000 difference on the median home.