Quick answer
Winston-Salem costs $410/month less overall ($1,545 vs $1,955/mo). Winston-Salem also has lower state income tax (4.75% vs 5.75%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Virginia Beach 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
Virginia Beach vs Winston-Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Virginia Beach | Winston-Salem |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,400 | $1,450 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,750 | $1,450 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $340K ✓ | $385K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $175 | $125 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $380 | $320 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,955 | $1,545 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 36/100 | 68/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 25/100 | 32/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 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: Winston-Salem's 1BR averages $1,100/month vs $1,400 in Virginia Beach — 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 5.75% in Virginia Beach. On an $80K salary that's a $800/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,900 vs $5,700 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Virginia Beach are $340K vs $385K in Winston-Salem. At a 20% down payment, that's a $9,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Virginia Beach utilities run $50 more per month than Winston-Salem. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Virginia Beach, VA
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Virginia Beach. 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
Virginia Beach
Mild summers (78–87°F); cool winters (40–55°F) with occasional snow; spring and fall are pleasant; hurricane season (August–October) brings flooding and coastal surge
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
Virginia Beach top industries
Winston-Salem top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Virginia Beach if…
- →You're a military families
- →You're a aerospace / naval engineers
- →You're a people seeking affordable coastal living
- →You're a families focused on stability over nightlife
- →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 Virginia Beach 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 $1,955 in Virginia Beach — a $410/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Virginia Beach or Winston-Salem?
Winston-Salem is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 36/100. Virginia Beach is more car-dependent.
Virginia Beach vs Winston-Salem: which has lower state income tax?
Winston-Salem has lower state income tax (4.75%). On an $80K salary, that saves $800/year vs Virginia Beach (5.75%).
Is Virginia Beach or Winston-Salem better for buying a home?
Virginia Beach has lower median home prices at $340K vs $385K in Winston-Salem — a $45,000 difference on the median home.