Things to know before moving from Texas to Winston-Salem, NC

Cost of living: Texas vs Winston-Salem, NC

Texas Winston-Salem
Average rent cost $1,251 $1,300
Average home value $300,267 $248,806
Average income (per capita) $73,035 $62,431
Unemployment rate 4% 5%
State income tax 0% 5%
  • Rent is about 4% more expensive in Winston-Salem than in Texas.
  • Home prices are about 17% lower in Winston-Salem than in Texas.
  • The average income is about 15% lower in Winston-Salem than in Texas.
  • Winston-Salem has a higher unemployment rate than Texas by about 27%.
  • Income taxes are 5% higher in Winston-Salem than in Texas.

How life is different in Winston-Salem from Texas

Winston-Salem Texas
Population 249,545 30,503,301
Political leaning Republican 51-49 Republican 56-44
Summer high 88ºF 94ºF
Winter low 28ºF 36ºF
Annual rain 45" 36"
Annual snow 6" 2"
Crime index 32.67 27.32
  • The population of Winston-Salem is approximately 99% lower than the population of Texas.
  • In the last presidential election, Winston-Salem voted Republican and Texas voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Winston-Salem is 88ºF and in Texas, it’s 94ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Winston-Salem reaches the temperature of 28ºF and Texas gets down to 36ºF.
  • You can expect about 45 inches of annual rainfall in Winston-Salem vs 36 inches of rainfall in Texas.
  • In Winston-Salem, it snows about 6 inches annually vs 2 inches of snow in Texas.
  • Winston-Salem has a higher crime rate than Texas with a crime index of 32.67 vs 27.32.

Things to do in Winston-Salem

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Winston-Salem.

Museums in Winston-Salemtoggle

  • Old Salem Museums & Gardens
  • Frank L Horton Museum Center
  • Kaleideum Downtown
  • Kaleideum North
  • Reynolda House Museum of American Art
  • Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art
  • Winston Cup Museum
  • Museum of Anthropology
  • Shell Station Museum
  • Körner’s Folly

Parks in Winston-Salemtoggle

  • REYNOLDA ESTATE
  • SALEM LAKE
  • QUARRY PARK AND NATURE PRESERVE
  • POLO PARK
  • HATHAWAY PARK
  • HANES PARK
  • HAPPY HOUNDS AT HORIZONS PARK
  • WASHINGTON DOG PARK
  • TANGLEWOOD PARK
  • Tanglewood Park
  • Reynolda Estate
  • Salem Lake
  • Quarry Park and Nature Preserve
  • Polo Park
  • Hathaway Park
  • Hanes Park
  • Happy Hounds at Horizons Park
  • Washington Dog Park
  • Tanglewood Park

Sports Teams in Winston-Salemtoggle

  • Winston-Salem State University Rams (NCAA)
  • Winston-Salem Dash (High-A East)
  • Carolina Thunderbirds (FPHL)
  • Winston-Salem Wolves (East Coast Basketball League)
  • Wake Forest (NCAA)

Universities in Winston-Salemtoggle

  • Wake Forest University
  • Winston-Salem State University
  • University of North Carolina School of the Arts
  • Salem College
  • Forsyth Technical Community College
  • Living Arts Institute
  • Carolina University

Other considerations when moving to Winston-Salem, NC

  • 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: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • 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). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: North Carolina does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to North Carolina. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Compare the pros and cons of Texas vs. Winston-Salem, NC

Comparing the pros of Texas vs. Winston-Salem, NC:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Texas vs Winston-Salem side-by-side.

Pros of living in Texas Pros of living in Winston-Salem, NC
Ample economic opportunity No traffic
Favorable climate Friendly people
Delicious barbecue Low cost of living
Low taxes Beautiful scenery
Privacy and freedom Quality education

Comparing the cons of living in Texas vs. Winston-Salem, NC:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Texas for Winston-Salem.

Cons of living in Texas Cons of living in Winston-Salem, NC
Severe weather Summertime humidity
Limited healthcare access Allergy-inducing pollen
High crime rate Limited public transportation
Traffic issues Small airport
Politics Quiet nightlife

FAQ

How long does a move from Texas to Winston-Salem take?

The time frame for a move from Texas to Winston-Salem, NC, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Texas, the longer the drive time to Winston-Salem will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Winston-Salem from Texas can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Texas to Winston-Salem?

Because of the 1319-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Texas to Winston-Salem as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Winston-Salem, NC?

With the summer highs of 88ºF and the winter lows of 28ºF, most people move to Winston-Salem from Texas during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Winston-Salem during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources