Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Greensboro, NC
Relocating from Winston-Salem, NC to Greensboro, NC? The drive is 28 mi — about 39 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
28 mi · 39 min by car · NC
Distance & route
| Route through | NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 421, I 40, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | High Point |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Greensboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 92.865 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 89.065 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 74.519 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Winston-Salem to Greensboro — $264,333 vs $264,428 (2026-03).
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Greensboro -0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Greensboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 30°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 45.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, GREENSBORO WTP, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Greensboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 298,564 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $58,884 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.46 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Greensboro MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 44,320 | $36,510 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,250 | $40,420 |
| Production Occupations | 34,760 | $38,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,460 | $35,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,710 | $27,270 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How far is Greensboro, NC from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 28 mi and the route typically takes 39 min via US 421 and I 40. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Greensboro compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,730 in the Greensboro MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 356,380 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Greensboro?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 28 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Greensboro more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Greensboro is 0.9% higher than Winston-Salem (92.865 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Greensboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,884 in Greensboro vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem — a 2.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Winston-Salem.
City profiles: Winston-Salem, NC · Greensboro, NC.