Support Us Button Widget

Why Winston-Salem is one of the best places to live

Don’t take our word for it — here is how Winston-Salem ranks compared to the rest of the nation.

WStoday: Bailey power plant early morning beauty shot

Consider this humble brag— not so humble.

Photo by WStoday

Table of Contents

Wanna know what makes Winston-Salem a great place to live? Don’t take it from us, we have numbers to prove the Twin City is one of the best cities to live in America.

With Winston-Salem constantly growing and undertaking multiple high-profile developments this year, we figured it was time to talk about what the Twin City is known for. Livability has ranked Winston-Salem among the top 25 best places to live in the Southeast. The Twin City is recognized for its quality of higher education — including top-ranking HBCU Winston-Salem State University, Wake Forest University, Salem College and UNC School of the Arts.

Housing affordability + living cost

The median household income in Forsyth County is $56,830 according to the most recent data available from the US Census Bureau — that’s compared to $62,317 for residents in Winston-Salem. When it comes to the cost of living, the median gross rent for the city is $880 compared to $1,163 nationwide. Still not convinced? The average home price of $260,000 is 37% below the national median and the cost of living is 6% below national average, according to Redfin.

Here are some other accolades the Twin City is known for:

Overall, Winston-Salem ranks highest for housing, environment, and transportation.

More from WStoday
From the Carolina Thunderbirds to Salem City FC, we’re sharing all details of Winston-Salem’s sports teams.
Let’s take a look at temperatures during the 2024-2025 winter season.
WStoday readers shared which local restaurants + meals spark deep nostalgia — and we think you’ll agree.
Meet the powerhouse behind the daily operations of the nonprofit organization.
Forsyth County Public Library’s oldest branch is hosting three days of commemorative events.
Here’s the deal — the swap meet and vintage shopping scene is stellar in the Twin City.
From the Zevely Inn in Old Salem to the Hot Tub Hideaway in the woods, the Twin City is full of special places to stay.
Let’s take a look at some of the major redevelopment that’s taking place in the heart of downtown Winston-Salem.
Including gifts for neighbors, foodies, significant others, homebodies, students, and gifts under $20.
These personalities have gained recognition for their exceptional work and creations.