Quick answer
Oklahoma City costs $150/month less overall ($1,395 vs $1,545/mo). Both cities have 4.75% state income tax, so the rent gap is the real difference.
City Comparison · 2026
Oklahoma City 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
Oklahoma City vs Winston-Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Oklahoma City | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $920 ✓ | $1,450 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 ✓ | $1,450 |
| Median Home Price | $210K ✓ | $385K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $155 | $125 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $320 ✓ | $320 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,395 ✓ | $1,545 |
| Walk Score | 31/100 | 68/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 22/100 | 32/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.75% ✓ | 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: Oklahoma City's 1BR averages $920/month vs $1,100 in Winston-Salem — a $180/month difference, or $2,160/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Both cities carry the same state income tax rate (4.75%), so this isn't a differentiator.
Home buying: Median homes in Oklahoma City are $210K vs $385K in Winston-Salem. At a 20% down payment, that's a $35,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Oklahoma City utilities run $30 more per month than Winston-Salem. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Oklahoma City, OK
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Oklahoma City. 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
Oklahoma City
Tornado Alley: hot summers, variable winters, extreme severe storm season in spring (April–May)
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
Oklahoma City top industries
Winston-Salem top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Oklahoma City if…
- →You're a energy sector workers
- →You're a aerospace / defense workers
- →You're a remote workers seeking maximum affordability
- →You're a families
- →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 Oklahoma City or Winston-Salem cheaper to live in?
Oklahoma City is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,395 in Oklahoma City vs $1,545 in Winston-Salem — a $150/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Oklahoma City or Winston-Salem?
Winston-Salem is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 31/100. Oklahoma City is more car-dependent.
Oklahoma City vs Winston-Salem: which has lower state income tax?
Both Oklahoma City and Winston-Salem have the same state income tax rate (4.75%).
Is Oklahoma City or Winston-Salem better for buying a home?
Oklahoma City has lower median home prices at $210K vs $385K in Winston-Salem — a $175,000 difference on the median home.