2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Mateo, CA vs Winston-Salem, NC

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Winston-Salem or is it cheaper to live in San Mateo?
- Winston-Salem is 66.3% less expensive than San Mateo.

Which city has more affordable housing, Winston-Salem or San Mateo?
- Winston-Salem housing costs are 88.4% less expensive than San Mateo housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo or is Health Care more affordable in Winston-Salem.
- Health related expenses are 17.9% less in Winston-Salem.
 San Mateo, CAWinston-Salem, NCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock84.3100
 Food & Groceries116.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock96.4100
 Housing537.6  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$229,400$338,100
 Utilities92  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock75.5100
 Miscellaneous161.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for San Mateo    12 Reviews

I have lived in San Mateo since 2013. It has seen tremendous growth, lots of new restaurants which have become progressively more high-end though there is ample  More

   |    Reply

I'm a native of California. I have lived in the southern part of the state and the northern part of the state for most of my life. I have spent the last 29 years in  More

   |    Reply

Over 15 years ago

San Mateo has a diverse mix of people, a pleasant climate, a very pleasant downtown park with lots going on, and pretty much whatever you need handy. It's not far to  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of San Mateo

Reviews for Winston-Salem    26 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

Winston Salem is a corrupt and sad city. Many residents aren't open to new comers and crime is rampant. The abysmal crime rate is due in part to the corrupt and  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

I’ve lived here since 2008 and the community is beautiful and quiet. Convenient to everything and if you’re not a lazy person you can walk to Walmart, the bank,  More

   |    Reply

I didn't fully appreciate WS until I left. I still have family and friends there, and when I visit (I've lived in various places, now in the midwest for about 20 years)  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Winston-Salem


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.