Key factors that influence moving costs from Fargo to Winston-Salem
What to know before moving from Fargo to Winston-Salem
Moving from Fargo to Winston-Salem comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since Winston-Salem is generally more expensive than Fargo, itโs 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:
Fargo | Winston-Salem | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,055 | $1,300 |
Average home value | $287,548 | $248,806 |
Average income (per capita) | $59,493 | $62,431 |
Cost of living (single person) | $1,566 | $2,420 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $3,299 | $5,265 |
Unemployment rate | 3.6% | 5.2% |
Sales tax | 7.5% | 7.0% |
State income tax | 2.9% | 4.5% |
- Rent prices in Winston-Salem are 23% higher than in Fargo, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Winston-Salem.
Home prices in Winston-Salem are 13.5% lower than in Fargo. - Income in Winston-Salem is 4.9% higher than in Fargo, so you could earn more 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 54.5% higher than in Fargo. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- If youโre 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 59.6% higher than in Fargo.
- The unemployment rate in Winston-Salem is 44.44% higher than in Fargo.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Winston-Salem, since the cityโs sales taxes in Winston-Salem are 6.67% lower than in Fargo.
- State income taxes in Winston-Salem are 55.17% higher than in Fargo.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,636.02 in Winston-Salem to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Fargo.
How life is different in Fargo vs. Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem | Fargo | |
---|---|---|
Population | 249,545 | 125,990 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 3 | 4 |
Walkability score | 22 | 45 |
Bike friendliness score | 29 | 49 |
Crime Index | 32.67 | 8.0 |
Safety Index | 67.33 | 56.17 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Winston-Salem is about 98% greater than Fargo, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- Getting around Winston-Salem without a car might be more difficult than in Fargo. Winston-Salem has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Fargo is ranked 4. Ratings are based on a cityโs 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 Fargo. Based on its score of 22 out of 100, Winston-Salem isnโt as walkable as Fargo, which has a score of 45 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 wonโt see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Winston-Salem, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Fargo. While Fargo has a bike-friendliness score of 49 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.
- The crime rate in Winston-Salem is higher than in Fargo, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 32.67 in Winston-Salem, it is 8.0 in Fargo. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a cityโs crime levels.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Winston-Salem than in Fargo, based on Winston-Salemโs safety index of 67.33 versus 56.17 for Fargo. 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 Fargo 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 Fargo 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: To keep things running smoothly, make sure you're familiar with any HOA or community moving policies before the big day.
- Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
- Truck parking permits: Make sure to look into local parking regulationsโsome areas require permits for large moving trucks.
- 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 โC Numberโ issued by the commission, signifying that theyโve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the stateโs Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving company\โs license by visiting the state'spublic utilities commission
- Moving permits: You wonโt need a moving permit in North Carolina, though it\โs smart to double-check any local parking restrictions ahead of your move.
- Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly toWinston-Salem Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: The amount and type of insurance movers must have depends on state regulations.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: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Winston-Salem
Now that youโve chosen "Camel City" as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Winston-Salem to check out.
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
After settling into your new North Carolina home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Winston-Salem has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: Winston-Salem is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Old Salem Museums & Gardens, Frank L Horton Museum Center, Kaleideum Downtown, Kaleideum North, and Reynolda House Museum of American Art.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs REYNOLDA ESTATE, SALEM LAKE, QUARRY PARK AND NATURE PRESERVE, and POLO PARK โ among other sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on 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 Fargo to Winston-Salem?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Fargo to Winston-Salem. Youโll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Fargo.
When is the cheapest time to move from Fargo to Winston-Salem?
Because spring and fall moves from Fargo 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 Fargo to Winston-Salem take?
Covering 1,350 miles, the move from Fargo, ND to Winston-Salem, NC typically takes three to eight days. Some Fargo movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inWinston-Salem can help bridge the gap.