Winston-Salem vs Chesapeake: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Winston-Salem, NC and Chesapeake, VA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Winston-Salem, NC | Chesapeake, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 249,571 | 249,377 |
| Median household income | $54,416 | $92,703 |
| Median home value | $187,400 | $339,500 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $956 | $1,446 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Winston-Salem, NC and Chesapeake, VA comes down to what you value most. Winston-Salem has the lower median home value, and Winston-Salem has the lower median rent.
Chesapeake has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Winston-Salem or Chesapeake?
- By median home value, Winston-Salem is the cheaper of the two ($187,400 vs $339,500). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Winston-Salem or Chesapeake?
- Median household income is $54,416 in Winston-Salem versus $92,703 in Chesapeake, per the US Census Bureau.