Firstly why Winston-Salem, North-Carolina?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Winston-Salem
• State: North-Carolina
• Population: 250,765 people
• Winston-Salem’s quick summary would be Known for its rich history in the tobacco industry, the Reynolda House Museum, and vibrant arts district.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 15,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 13,000 annually
• Net Migration: 2000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 600
• Number of Homeless people: 800

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features a vibrant arts scene and job opportunities attracting diverse residents

Perk #1: Winston-Salem Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 35%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 58%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Black
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $46,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Winston-Salem is $50,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $4000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Winston-Salem’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 90 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $1,992
• Property Tax %: 1.02%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,150
• Rent for an average house: $1,800
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Winston-Salem
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Winston-Salem, Kernersville, Clemmons, Lewisville, and probably could include High-Point
• Avg. Age of Homes in Winston-Salem: 56 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.8%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Winston-Salem’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Winston-Salem are  Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Education
• Winston-Salem Job Scene: moderate job market primarily in healthcare and education
• The General Tech Scene: growing tech community with emphasis on biotechnology and innovation , ,
• Winston-Salem Resident’s pay $1,000 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Winston-Salem: 7%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 90 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 18

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Winston-Salem

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $90 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-40 runs through Winston-Salem linking it to major routes
• Commute Time: 24 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic slowing on Reidsville Road
• Transportation Score: 37 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Winston-Salem: 60,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.2
• No. of Car Washes: 6 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Winston-Salem: ncdot.gov/dmv
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 61 of 100
• Local Airport: Smith Reynolds

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Winston-Salem’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Tornadoes
• General Weather in Winston-Salem is best described as features warm summers and cool winters with moderate precipitation throughout the year
• Winter Weather in Winston-Salem i’d describe as mild with some rain
• Spring Weather in Winston-Salem can be described as mild with some rain
• Summer’s in Winston-Salem are mostly hot and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Winston-Salem is usually mild and dry
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 28 days in summer
• Days in a row in Winston-Salem below Freezing: 6
• Average Annual Rainfall: 44 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality impacted by urban pollution
• Winston-Salem Winter Air mixed air quality affected by urban emissions

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Winston-Salem Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Winston-Salem 4
• While the number of trade schools inside Winston-Salems’s city limits are 3
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Winston-Salem Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 10 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Winston-Salem only Doctors is about 90
• Local Hospitals here is  5
• Full-time Winston-Salem only Police Officers is about 300
• Crime Rate Index: 50/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Winston-Salem’s Monthly utility bill average is $90
• Winston-Salem’s Monthly Gym Membership: $38
• Winston-Salem’s Water Quality Score: 72

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Winston-Salem

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 5 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: cultural city with a focus on the arts and history
• You might enjoy live music at the Stevens Center
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Winston-Salem  offers a quaint nightlife with bars and restaurants focused on community engagement and local arts

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Winston-Salem

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes local restaurants and fast-food chains
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 50 scattered around Winston-Salem
• The Popular Sports Team is Winston-Salem Dash
• Top Level Political Climate in Winston-Salem can be described as politically diverse city focusing on economic development
• Winston-Salem’s Longer standing religious establishment is Winston-Salem First Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Winston-Salem Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Winston-Salem has 35 Parks?
• Winston Salem’s Washington Park is Winston-Salem’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Winston-Salem Farmers Market normally open Saturday 8am-1pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, biking, and outdoor events

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Winston-Salem Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Winston-Salem can be described as steady pace blending history arts and industry
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Winston-Salem hiking nature trails attending local events picnics
• The Cities people commute to from Winston-Salem are Greensboro 25 miles away Kernersville 9 miles away High-Point 25 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Winston-Salem or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: traffic slowing on Reidsville Road. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Winston-Salem’s Tornadoes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Winston-Salem is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Winston-Salem are Greensboro 25 miles away Kernersville 9 miles away High-Point 25 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 50 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Winston-Salem has 6 days in a row below freezing and 28 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Winston-Salem people have an average (positive or negative) $4000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   800 homeless people living in Winston-Salem. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general politically diverse city focusing on economic development could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Winston-Salem.

Retiree & Senior Life in Winston-Salem

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might qualify for property tax exemptions focused on low-income families
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Brookdale Winston
• Winston-Salem Senior Center features diverse programs meal services and community events

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Winston-Salem, North-Carolina?

If Winston-Salem, North-Carolina ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Winston-Salem, North-Carolina, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!