Winston-Salem vs Akron: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Winston-Salem, North Carolina compare to Akron, Ohio? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Akron is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 88% higher in Winston-Salem compared to Akron, while rent is 8% higher. State income tax is 4.5% in NC vs 3.5% in OH.
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Akron, OH | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $187,400 | $99,700 | +88.0% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $956 | $887 | +7.8% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $54,416 | $46,596 | +16.8% |
| Per Capita Income | $33,279 | $28,390 | +17.2% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.5% | 3.5% | +28.6% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.0% | 7.2% | -3.6% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 249,571 | 190,273 | +31.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Winston-Salem
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Akron
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Winston-Salem costs $187,400 compared to $99,700 in Akron — a 88% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $956/mo in Winston-Salem vs $887/mo in Akron.
- Income: Median household income is $54,416 in Winston-Salem and $46,596 in Akron.
- Taxes: State income tax is 4.5% in North Carolina vs 3.5% in Ohio.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).