Key factors that influence moving costs from Charleston to Winston-Salem
What to know before moving from Charleston to Winston-Salem
Moving from Charleston to Winston-Salem means adjusting to a different pace of life โ and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in Charleston than in Winston-Salem, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.
Check out how Charleston compares to Winston-Salem so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Charleston | Winston-Salem | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $2,500 | $1,300 |
Average home value | $559,231 | $248,806 |
Average income (per capita) | $62,294 | $62,431 |
Cost of living (single person) | $5,300 | $2,420 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $7,890 | $5,265 |
Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 5.2% |
Sales tax | 9.0% | 7.0% |
State income tax | 7.0% | 4.5% |
- Rent prices in Winston-Salem are 48% lower than in Charleston, which means youโll have more 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 55.5% lower than in Charleston. - Income is the same in Winston-Salem and Charleston. The top employers in Winston-Salem include Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Novant Health, and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
- The cost of living for a single person in Winston-Salem is 54.3% lower than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in Winston-Salem is 33.3% lower than in Charleston.
- The unemployment rate in Winston-Salem is 30.00% higher than in Charleston.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in Winston-Salem, since the cityโs sales taxes in Winston-Salem are 22.22% lower than in Charleston.
- One perk of moving to Winston-Salem is paying less in state income taxes, which are 35.71% lower than in Charleston.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $1,369.81 in Winston-Salem to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.
How life is different in Charleston vs. Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem | Charleston | |
---|---|---|
Population | 249,545 | 150,277 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 3 | 3 |
Walkability score | 22 | 40 |
Bike friendliness score | 29 | 50 |
Crime Index | 32.67 | 44.97 |
Safety Index | 67.33 | 55.03 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of Winston-Salem is about 66% greater than Charleston, 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.
- Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in Winston-Salem will be about the same as it currently is in Charleston. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
- Winston-Salem neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Charleston. Based on its score of 22 out of 100, Winston-Salem isnโt as walkable as Charleston, which has a score of 40 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 Charleston. While Charleston has a bike-friendliness score of 50 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 Charleston based on scores of 32.67 and Charleston's 44.97, 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 Charleston, based on Winston-Salemโs safety index of 67.33 versus 55.03 for Charleston. 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 Charleston 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 Charleston 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: Itโs a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, itโs a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
- Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
- 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). Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving companyโs license in North Carolina, visit the state's public utilities commission
- Moving permits: While North Carolina doesnโt mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Winston-Salem without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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 gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.
Where to live in Winston-Salem
With your sights set on "Camel City", these are some of the most popular 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
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 Charleston to Winston-Salem?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Charleston to Winston-Salem. Youโll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Charleston.
When is the cheapest time to move from Charleston to Winston-Salem?
Because spring and fall moves from Charleston 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 Charleston to Winston-Salem take?
Covering 286 miles, the move from Charleston, SC to Winston-Salem, NC typically takes one to four days. Some Charleston movers may offer faster options, and if your timing is flexible, storage services inWinston-Salem can help bridge the gap.