Key factors that influence moving costs from Phoenix to Winston-Salemtoggle

The cost of Phoenix movers will depend on:

  • Amount of belongings: Moving costs go up with more stuff. A move from Phoenix to Winston-Salem might cost just $1,490 for a one-bedroom, but up to $12,956 for a four-bedroom.
  • When you move: Summer is peak moving season in Phoenix, which means movers charge more during those months.
  • DIY or hire help: You can save by going the DIY route. Rental trucks cost between $1,380 and $3,798, though you\โ€™ll be doing the hard work vs letting the pros handle it.

What to know before moving from Phoenix to Winston-Salem

Moving from Phoenix to Winston-Salem comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Winston-Salem is generally more expensive than Phoenix, itโ€™s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Phoenix Winston-Salem
Average rent cost $1,695 $1,300
Average home value $411,139 $248,806
Average income (per capita) $64,552 $62,431
Cost of living (single person) $2,369 $2,420
Cost of living (family of 4) $5,226 $5,265
Unemployment rate 6.6% 5.2%
Sales tax 8.6% 7.0%
State income tax 2.5% 4.5%
  • Rent prices in Winston-Salem are 23% lower than in Phoenix, which means youโ€™ll have more money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Winston-Salem.
    Home prices in Winston-Salem are 39.5% lower than in Phoenix.
  • Income in Winston-Salem is 3.3% lower than in Phoenix, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Winston-Salem include Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Novant Health, and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Winston-Salem, since the cost of living for a single person in Winston-Salem is 2.2% higher than in Phoenix. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • The cost of living for a family is the same in Winston-Salem and Phoenix.
  • The unemployment rate in Winston-Salem is 21.21% lower than in Phoenix.
  • Youโ€™ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Winston-Salem, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Winston-Salem are 18.60% lower than in Phoenix.
  • State income taxes in Winston-Salem are 80.00% higher than in Phoenix.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,064.58 in Winston-Salem to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Phoenix.

How life is different in Phoenix vs. Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem Phoenix
Population 249,545 1,608,139
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 6
Walkability score 22 41
Bike friendliness score 29 56
Crime Index 32.67 53.06
Safety Index 67.33 46.94
Air Quality Good Moderate
  • Winston-Salem might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 84% less than Phoenix.
  • Getting around Winston-Salem without a car might be more difficult than in Phoenix. Winston-Salem has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Phoenix is ranked 6. Ratings are based on a cityโ€™s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
  • Winston-Salem neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Phoenix. Based on its score of 22 out of 100, Winston-Salem isnโ€™t as walkable as Phoenix, which has a score of 41 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
  • You probably wonโ€™t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Winston-Salem, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Phoenix. While Phoenix has a bike-friendliness score of 56 out of 100, Winston-Salem earned a 29. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
  • Winston-Salem has a lower crime rate than Phoenix based on scores of 32.67 and Phoenix's 53.06, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
  • You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Winston-Salem than in Phoenix, based on Winston-Salemโ€™s safety index of 67.33 versus 46.94 for Phoenix. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
  • You can breathe easy knowing that Winston-Salem has better air quality than in Phoenix. Winston-Salem has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Phoenix. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Phoenix vs. Winston-Salem move

  • Weather: Climate in Winston-Salem is unlikely to affect your move but a freezing day in the winter could affect the conditions of the roads.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • State licensing: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a โ€œC Numberโ€ issued by the commission, signifying that theyโ€™ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the stateโ€™s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: North Carolina does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Winston-Salem. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Winston-Salem

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Camel City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Winston-Salem.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • West End
  • Ardmore
  • Buena Vista
  • Old Salem
  • Washington Park

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Sherwood Forest
  • Ardmore
  • Buena Vista
  • West Highlands
  • West Salem

Things to do in Winston-Salem

Now that you've made the move to North Carolina, itโ€™s the perfect time to explore Winston-Salem. From local hotspots to hidden gems, thereโ€™s something to enjoy for every lifestyle:

  • Arts and culture: Youโ€™ll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Winston-Salem, such as the Old Salem Museums & Gardens, Frank L Horton Museum Center, Kaleideum Downtown, Kaleideum North, and Reynolda House Museum of American Art.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s REYNOLDA ESTATE, SALEM LAKE, QUARRY PARK AND NATURE PRESERVE, and POLO PARK โ€” along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
  • Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Winston-Salem State University Rams (NCAA), Winston-Salem Dash (High-A East), Carolina Thunderbirds (FPHL), or Winston-Salem Wolves (East Coast Basketball League) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Phoenix to Winston-Salem?

If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Phoenix to Winston-Salem. Youโ€™ll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Phoenix.

When is the cheapest time to move from Phoenix to Winston-Salem?

Because spring and fall moves from Phoenix to Winston-Salem are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.

How long does a move from Phoenix to Winston-Salem take?

Covering 2,085 miles, the move from Phoenix, AZ to Winston-Salem, NC typically takes six to 17 days. Some Phoenix movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inWinston-Salem can help bridge the gap.

Helpful moving resources