Quick answer
Winston-Salem costs $345/month less overall ($1,545 vs $1,890/mo). Winston-Salem also has lower state income tax (4.75% vs 4.9%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Santa Fe 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
Santa Fe vs Winston-Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Santa Fe | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,400 | $1,450 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,750 | $1,450 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $650K | $385K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $140 | $125 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $350 | $320 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,890 | $1,545 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 73/100 ✓ | 68/100 |
| Transit Score | 32/100 ✓ | 32/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.9% | 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 $1,400 in Santa Fe — a $300/month difference, or $3,600/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Winston-Salem charges 4.75% state income tax vs 4.9% in Santa Fe. On an $80K salary that's a $120/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,880 vs $5,700 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Winston-Salem are $385K vs $650K in Santa Fe. At a 20% down payment, that's a $53,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Santa Fe utilities run $15 more per month than Winston-Salem. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Santa Fe, NM
Santa Fe's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Santa Fe
High desert with mild to warm summers (75°F average), cold winters (30°F average, 30 inches snow), intense sun, and low humidity (35%). Elevation 7,000 feet.
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
Santa Fe top industries
Winston-Salem top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Santa Fe if…
- →You're a Artists and creative professionals
- →You're a Retirees with substantial savings
- →You're a Remote workers seeking inspiration
- →You're a Wellness and spirituality seekers
- →You want to live without a car
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 Santa Fe 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 $1,890 in Santa Fe — a $345/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Santa Fe or Winston-Salem?
Santa Fe is more walkable with a Walk Score of 73/100 vs 68/100. Winston-Salem is more car-dependent.
Santa Fe vs Winston-Salem: which has lower state income tax?
Winston-Salem has lower state income tax (4.75%). On an $80K salary, that saves $120/year vs Santa Fe (4.9%).
Is Santa Fe or Winston-Salem better for buying a home?
Winston-Salem has lower median home prices at $385K vs $650K in Santa Fe — a $265,000 difference on the median home.