Rents are 4% below what Winston Salem's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,525 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Winston Salem, NC has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Winston Salem, NC stood at $1,071 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,525, reflecting a 42.4% 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.
Discussions about Winston Salem
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Winston Salem on your salary?
At $1,525/mo, how Winston Salem rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Winston Salem rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Winston Salem. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Winston Salem
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Winston Salem is $1,525/mo as of August 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 7.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Winston Salem an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Winston Salem?
Is rent going up or down in Winston Salem?
Which Winston Salem neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Winston Salem rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Winston Salem?
What percentage of Winston Salem residents rent vs. own?
How does Winston Salem rent compare to the national average?
At $1,525/mo, rent takes ~31% of Winston Salem's median household income ($59,268/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Winston Salem.
No discussions yet.
