Things to know before moving from Virginia to Winston-Salem, NC

Cost of living: Virginia vs Winston-Salem, NC

Virginia Winston-Salem
Average rent cost $1,440 $1,300
Average home value $392,682 $248,806
Average income (per capita) $87,249 $62,431
Unemployment rate 3% 5%
State income tax 6% 5%
  • Rent is about 10% less expensive in Winston-Salem than in Virginia.
  • Home prices are about 37% lower in Winston-Salem than in Virginia.
  • The average income is about 28% lower in Winston-Salem than in Virginia.
  • Winston-Salem has a higher unemployment rate than Virginia by about 79%.
  • Income taxes are 22% lower in Winston-Salem than in Virginia.

How life is different in Winston-Salem from Virginia

Winston-Salem Virginia
Population 249,545 8,715,698
Political leaning Republican 51-49 Democratic 52-48
Summer high 88ºF 87ºF
Winter low 28ºF 25ºF
Annual rain 45" 44"
Annual snow 6" 14"
Crime index 32.67 19.3
  • The population of Winston-Salem is approximately 97% lower than the population of Virginia.
  • In the last presidential election, Winston-Salem voted Republican and Virginia voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Winston-Salem is 88ºF and in Virginia, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Winston-Salem reaches the temperature of 28ºF and Virginia gets down to 25ºF.
  • You can expect about 45 inches of annual rainfall in Winston-Salem vs 44 inches of rainfall in Virginia.
  • In Winston-Salem, it snows about 6 inches annually vs 14 inches of snow in Virginia.
  • Winston-Salem has a higher crime rate than Virginia with a crime index of 32.67 vs 19.3.

Things to do in Winston-Salem

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Winston-Salem.

Museums in Winston-Salemtoggle

  • Old Salem Museums & Gardens
  • Frank L Horton Museum Center
  • Kaleideum Downtown
  • Kaleideum North
  • Reynolda House Museum of American Art
  • Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art
  • Winston Cup Museum
  • Museum of Anthropology
  • Shell Station Museum
  • Körner’s Folly

Parks in Winston-Salemtoggle

  • REYNOLDA ESTATE
  • SALEM LAKE
  • QUARRY PARK AND NATURE PRESERVE
  • POLO PARK
  • HATHAWAY PARK
  • HANES PARK
  • HAPPY HOUNDS AT HORIZONS PARK
  • WASHINGTON DOG PARK
  • TANGLEWOOD PARK
  • Tanglewood Park
  • Reynolda Estate
  • Salem Lake
  • Quarry Park and Nature Preserve
  • Polo Park
  • Hathaway Park
  • Hanes Park
  • Happy Hounds at Horizons Park
  • Washington Dog Park
  • Tanglewood Park

Sports Teams in Winston-Salemtoggle

  • Winston-Salem State University Rams (NCAA)
  • Winston-Salem Dash (High-A East)
  • Carolina Thunderbirds (FPHL)
  • Winston-Salem Wolves (East Coast Basketball League)
  • Wake Forest (NCAA)

Universities in Winston-Salemtoggle

  • Wake Forest University
  • Winston-Salem State University
  • University of North Carolina School of the Arts
  • Salem College
  • Forsyth Technical Community College
  • Living Arts Institute
  • Carolina University

Other considerations when moving to Winston-Salem, NC

  • 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: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • 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 “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’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 on the state regulator's official website.
  • 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 North Carolina. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Compare the pros and cons of Virginia vs. Winston-Salem, NC

Comparing the pros of Virginia vs. Winston-Salem, NC:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Virginia vs Winston-Salem side-by-side.

Pros of living in Virginia Pros of living in Winston-Salem, NC
Strong economy No traffic
Beautiful scenery Friendly people
Abundance of outdoor activities Low cost of living
Enjoyable four season weather Beautiful scenery
Strong military presence Quality education

Comparing the cons of living in Virginia vs. Winston-Salem, NC:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Virginia for Winston-Salem.

Cons of living in Virginia Cons of living in Winston-Salem, NC
High cost of living Summertime humidity
Unpredictable weather Allergy-inducing pollen
Bad traffic congestion Limited public transportation
Lack of public transportation Small airport
Air noise pollution Quiet nightlife

FAQ

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

The time frame for a move from Virginia to Winston-Salem, NC, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Virginia, the longer the drive time to Winston-Salem will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Winston-Salem from Virginia can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Virginia to Winston-Salem?

Because of the 165-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Virginia to Winston-Salem as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Winston-Salem, NC?

With the summer highs of 88ºF and the winter lows of 28ºF, most people move to Winston-Salem from Virginia during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Winston-Salem during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources