Winston-Salem vs Rockford: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Winston-Salem, North Carolina compare to Rockford, Illinois? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Rockford is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 64% higher in Winston-Salem compared to Rockford, while rent is 6% higher. State income tax is 4.5% in NC vs 4.95% in IL.
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Rockford, IL | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $187,400 | $114,100 | +64.2% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $956 | $906 | +5.5% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $54,416 | $50,744 | +7.2% |
| Per Capita Income | $33,279 | $29,187 | +14.0% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.5% | 5.0% | -9.1% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.0% | 8.8% | -21.0% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 249,571 | 148,173 | +68.4% |
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 — Rockford
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 $114,100 in Rockford — a 64% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $956/mo in Winston-Salem vs $906/mo in Rockford.
- Income: Median household income is $54,416 in Winston-Salem and $50,744 in Rockford.
- Taxes: State income tax is 4.5% in North Carolina vs 4.95% in Illinois.
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).