Quick answer
Winston-Salem costs $50/month less overall ($1,545 vs $1,595/mo). Winston-Salem also has lower state income tax (4.75% vs 5.7%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Overland Park 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
Overland Park vs Winston-Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Overland Park | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,150 | $1,450 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,450 ✓ | $1,450 |
| Median Home Price | $395K | $385K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $125 ✓ | $125 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $320 ✓ | $320 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,595 | $1,545 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 58/100 | 68/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 32/100 ✓ | 32/100 |
| State Income Tax | 5.7% | 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 $1,150 in Overland Park — a $50/month difference, or $600/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Winston-Salem charges 4.75% state income tax vs 5.7% in Overland Park. On an $80K salary that's a $760/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,840 vs $5,700 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Winston-Salem are $385K vs $395K in Overland Park. At a 20% down payment, that's a $2,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Utilities are essentially equal between both cities at $125/month.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Overland Park, KS
Overland Park is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Overland Park
Cold, snowy winters (20°F average, 15 inches snow) and hot, humid summers (90°F). Spring brings severe thunderstorms and tornado risk; fall is mild and pleasant.
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
Overland Park top industries
Winston-Salem top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Overland Park if…
- →You're a Families with children (top-rated schools)
- →You're a Corporate professionals
- →You're a Remote workers seeking Midwest affordability
- →You're a People prioritizing school quality and safety
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 Overland Park 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 $1,595 in Overland Park — a $50/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Overland Park or Winston-Salem?
Winston-Salem is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 58/100. Overland Park is more car-dependent.
Overland Park vs Winston-Salem: which has lower state income tax?
Winston-Salem has lower state income tax (4.75%). On an $80K salary, that saves $760/year vs Overland Park (5.7%).
Is Overland Park or Winston-Salem better for buying a home?
Winston-Salem has lower median home prices at $385K vs $395K in Overland Park — a $10,000 difference on the median home.