How much does it cost to rent in Winston Salem, NC?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Winston Salem, NC is $1,537. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Winston Salem cheaper than other North Carolina cities?

Winston Salem is among the more affordable cities in North Carolina, ranking #92 out of 126 cities at $1,537/mo.

When was Winston Salem rent data last updated?

Winston Salem rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · NC

Winston Salem

Name: Average Rent Prices in Winston Salem, NC
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 252,037·92nd most expensive in North Carolina·Winston-Salem rents are up 8.6% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,537/mo

Year-over-Year

+8.6%

Month-over-Month

+1.9%

vs US Median

-$428

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Winston Salem · $1,537

More affordable than 73% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

56/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% below what Winston Salem's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,537/mo

Expected by trend

$1,583/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Winston Salem's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$954

1 BR

$1,001

2 BR

$1,173

3 BR

$1,540

4 BR+

$1,816

Research median

$1,173/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$18,444/yr

At $1,537/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 8.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+8.6% YoY, +1.9% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Winston Salem, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 39.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

252,037

Median income

$59,268

Median age

35.9

Renters

44.4%

Age distribution

23%

25.8%

24%

15.4%

Under 1823%

18–3425.8%

35–5424%

55–6411.9%

65+15.4%

Gender

46.6%

53.4%

Male46.6%

Female53.4%

Race & ethnicity

46.1%

32.1%

18.2%

White46.1%

Black32.1%

Hispanic18.2%

Asian2.3%

Other1.4%

Education (25+)

22.8%

26.8%

39.5%

No HS diploma10.9%

HS diploma22.8%

Some college26.8%

Bachelor's+39.5%

Housing tenure

55.6%

44.4%

Owner55.6%

Renter44.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Winston Salem, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,071 → $1,537

up 43.5%

Income

$50,204 → $59,268

up 18.1%

Population

247,917 → 252,037

up 1.7%

Renter share

45.8% → 44.4%

-1.4 pts

Bachelor's+

34.6% → 39.5%

+4.9 pts

The median rent in Winston Salem, NC stood at $1,071 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,537, reflecting a 43.5% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $50,204 to $59,268 between 2021 and 2024, a 18.1% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 1.7% since 2021, moving from about 247,917 residents to roughly 252,037. College-educated residents now make up 39.5% of adults here, versus 34.6% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Winston Salem, NC reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Winston Salem

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View Winston Salem rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Winston Salem on your salary?

At $1,537/mo, how Winston Salem rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $88,811/yr · Rent = 20.8% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $63,055/yr · Rent = 29.3% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $72,634/yr · Rent = 25.4% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $129,823/yr · Rent = 14.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $165,882/yr · Rent = 11.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $59,041/yr · Rent = 31.2% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $53,307/yr · Rent = 34.6% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $65,706/yr · Rent = 28.1% income

affordable

By apartment size

Winston Salem rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Winston Salem. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Winston Salem

About renting in Winston Salem, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Winston Salem is $1,537/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $954/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,173/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,001/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,540/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($59,268/yr), Winston Salem ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Winston Salem an affordable city for renters?

Winston Salem is considered moderate for renters. At $1,537/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($59,268/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Winston Salem slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Winston Salem?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $61,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,537/mo in Winston Salem. The local median household income is $59,268/yr, meaning the typical Winston Salem household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Winston Salem?

Rent in Winston Salem has increased 8.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Winston Salem neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Winston Salem are 27105 ($1,236/mo), 27106 ($1,295/mo), and 27104 ($1,427/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Winston Salem is $1,537/mo.

How does Winston Salem rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Winston Salem is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #92 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,537/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Winston Salem?

High Point is nearby and more affordable at $1,401/mo, which is $136 less than Winston Salem.

What percentage of Winston Salem residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44.4% of Winston Salem households are renters, while 55.6% are owner-occupied. Winston Salem leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Winston Salem rent compare to the national average?

Winston Salem's median rent of $1,537/mo is $428 (22%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #92 out of 126 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

31%

MODERATE

At $1,537/mo, rent takes ~31% of Winston Salem's median household income ($59,268/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Winston Salem 31%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.5%

Run the Winston Salem affordability calculator →

Nearby cities