CALCMONEY // HOME AFFORDABILITY // NC // WINSTON-SALEM
How much house can you afford in Winston-Salem? Based on local median home prices, current NC mortgage rates, and Winston-Salem property tax data.
$255,000
$1,641/mo
$70,330/yr
$182,679
Monthly housing costs of $1,641 represent 36.5% of Winston-Salem's median gross monthly income ($4,500/mo). At 36.5%, median-income buyers in Winston-Salem are significantly stretched — well above the 28% guideline. A larger down payment or higher income is required.
| Median Home Price | $255,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $51,000 |
| Loan Amount | $204,000 |
| Monthly PI Payment | $1,344 |
| Monthly Property Tax | $191 |
| Monthly Insurance Est. | $106 |
| Total Monthly PITI | $1,641 |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 36.5% |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $70,330/yr |
| Max Affordable Home | $182,679 |
$8,925
$2,092/mo
Winston-Salem Home Affordability Quick Reference 2026
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $255,000 | Winston-Salem city median |
| Down Payment (20%) | $51,000 | Conventional loan |
| Monthly PITI | $1,641 | 6.9% rate, 30yr fixed |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $70,330 | Annual gross |
| Max Affordable Home | $182,679 | Based on median income |
| FHA Down (3.5%) | $8,925 | Minimum FHA |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 36.5% | Median income: $54,000/yr |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.9% | $2,295/yr on median home |
Monthly PITI includes principal, interest, property tax, and homeowners insurance. Estimates only.
The median home price in Winston-Salem is $255,000, with a local 30-year mortgage rate of 6.9%. A buyer putting 20% down carries a loan of $204,000, generating a monthly P&I payment of $1,344. Adding property taxes ($191/mo) and homeowners insurance ($106/mo) brings total monthly PITI to $1,641.
Winston-Salem's property tax rate of 0.9% is near the national average, adding a standard increment to monthly housing costs. On the Winston-Salem median home, that is $191/month, or $2,295 per year.
North Carolina levies a state income tax, which affects take-home pay and effective buying power. High-income earners in Winston-Salem should factor state tax liability into their overall housing budget — mortgage interest may be deductible on both federal and state returns.
Using the 28% rule, a household earning Winston-Salem's median income of $54,000/year can afford up to $1,260/month in total housing costs. Based on Winston-Salem's mortgage rate of 6.9% and property tax rate of 0.9%, that translates to a maximum affordable home price of approximately $182,679 with 20% down on a 30-year loan.
To afford the median Winston-Salem home priced at $255,000, you need an annual gross income of approximately $70,330. Total monthly housing costs (principal and interest of $1,344, property taxes of $191, and insurance of $106) come to $1,641/month, which equals 28% of the required income.
At the median home price of $255,000 and median household income of $54,000, the total monthly housing cost of $1,641 represents 36.5% of gross monthly income. This is well above the standard 28% threshold, making Winston-Salem a challenging market for buyers at median income.
A conventional 20% down payment on the median Winston-Salem home of $255,000 is $51,000. An FHA loan requires just 3.5% down — $8,925 — but adds mortgage insurance of roughly $174/month, bringing total FHA payments to $2,092/month.
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