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

The cost of Louisville movers will depend on:

  • Amount of belongings: Moving costs go up with more stuff. A move from Louisville to Winston-Salem might cost just $1,332 for a one-bedroom, but up to $7,521 for a four-bedroom.
  • When you move: Summer is peak moving season in Louisville, which means movers charge more during those months.
  • DIY or hire help: You can save by going the DIY route. Rental trucks cost between $478 and $1,123, though you\โ€™ll be doing the hard work vs letting the pros handle it.

What to know before moving from Louisville to Winston-Salem

Moving from Louisville to Winston-Salem comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Winston-Salem is generally more expensive than Louisville, 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:

Louisville Winston-Salem
Average rent cost $1,250 $1,300
Average home value $242,612 $248,806
Average income (per capita) $69,771 $62,431
Cost of living (single person) $1,862 $2,420
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,532 $5,265
Unemployment rate 5.0% 5.2%
Sales tax 6.0% 7.0%
State income tax 4.0% 4.5%
  • Rent prices in Winston-Salem are 4% higher than in Louisville, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Louisville.
    Home prices in Winston-Salem are 2.6% higher than in Louisville.
  • Income in Winston-Salem is 10.5% lower than in Louisville, 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 30.0% higher than in Louisville. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™re moving your family to Winston-Salem, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Winston-Salem is 16.2% higher than in Louisville.
  • The unemployment rate in Winston-Salem is 4.00% higher than in Louisville.
  • Youโ€™ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Winston-Salem, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Winston-Salem are 16.67% higher than in Louisville.
  • State income taxes in Winston-Salem are 12.50% higher than in Louisville.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,899.03 in Winston-Salem to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Louisville.

How life is different in Louisville vs. Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem Louisville
Population 249,545 782,969
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 6
Walkability score 22 91
Bike friendliness score 29 79
Crime Index 32.67 56.68
Safety Index 67.33 43.32
Air Quality Good Good
  • Winston-Salem might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 68% less than Louisville.
  • Getting around Winston-Salem without a car might be more difficult than in Louisville. Winston-Salem has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Louisville 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 Louisville. Based on its score of 22 out of 100, Winston-Salem isnโ€™t as walkable as Louisville, which has a score of 91 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 Louisville. While Louisville has a bike-friendliness score of 79 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 Louisville based on scores of 32.67 and Louisville's 56.68, 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 Louisville, based on Winston-Salemโ€™s safety index of 67.33 versus 43.32 for Louisville. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
  • The air quality in Winston-Salem and Louisville is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Louisville 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: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
  • Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, make sure to find out how to reserve it ahead of your move.
  • Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
  • 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).Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
  • State regulator: You can check the status of a North Carolina moving license through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving permits: North Carolina doesn\โ€™t require moving permits, but it\โ€™s still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
  • Change of address: We suggest filing your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move. Youโ€™ll be able to set your official move date, helping ensure your mail is forwarded correctly to Winston-Salem. Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry.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: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.

Where to live in Winston-Salem

Ready to relocate to "Camel City"? Here are some of the top neighborhoods to consider 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

Once youโ€™re settled into your new home in North Carolina, itโ€™s time to get out and discover what Winston-Salem has to offer. No matter your interests, thereโ€™s something for everyone here:

  • Arts and culture: Winston-Salem features a variety of museums and cultural arts centers, including 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€” among other spots โ€” perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
  • Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during 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 Louisville to Winston-Salem?

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

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

Because spring and fall moves from Louisville 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 Louisville to Winston-Salem take?

Covering 463 miles, the move from Louisville, KY to Winston-Salem, NC typically takes one to four days. Some Louisville movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inWinston-Salem can help bridge the gap.

Helpful moving resources