($1,403) Movers From Madison, WI to Winston-Salem, NC

What to know before moving from Madison to Winston-Salem

Moving from Madison to Winston-Salem comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Winston-Salem is generally more expensive than Madison, it’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:

• Rent prices in Winston-Salem are 19% lower than in Madison, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Winston-Salem.
  Home prices in Winston-Salem are 32.4% lower than in Madison.
• Income is the same in Winston-Salem and Madison. 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 5.6% higher than in Madison. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Winston-Salem is 3.5% lower than in Madison.
• The unemployment rate in Winston-Salem is 57.58% higher than in Madison.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Winston-Salem, since the city’s sales taxes in Winston-Salem are 27.27% higher than in Madison.
• One perk of moving to Winston-Salem is paying less in state income taxes, which are 41.18% lower than in Madison.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,167.54 in Winston-Salem to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Madison.

How life is different in Madison vs. Winston-Salem

• Winston-Salem might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 8% less than Madison.
• Getting around Winston-Salem without a car might be more difficult than in Madison. Winston-Salem has a public transportation score of 3 out of 10, whereas Madison is ranked 6. Ratings are based on a city’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 Madison. Based on its score of 22 out of 100, Winston-Salem isn’t as walkable as Madison, which has a score of 50 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 won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Winston-Salem, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Madison. While Madison has a bike-friendliness score of 66 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.
• You can anticipate the same crime rate in Winston-Salem as Madison. With the crime index, lower scores are better because they indicate less crime. Cities with scores of 20 or below, for example, have much fewer instances of crime than those with scores of 80–100.
• Winston-Salem is generally as safe as Madison, according to their similar safety index ratings. The ratings are based on how comfortable residents feel about walking alone during the daytime and nighttime and the number of small crimes like theft and muggings.
• The air quality in Winston-Salem and Madison 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 Madison 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: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s 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 “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). Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in North Carolina, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While North Carolina doesn’t 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.

Helpful moving resources