Short answer: In Winston-Salem, NC, the median home value is $281,200 and the median 3-bedroom rents for $1,445/mo (Census ACS 2024). That's a rent-to-price ratio of 0.51%, so it misses the 1% rule and would place #23 among the 50 largest US rental markets (Winston-Salem is the #93 US city by renter households). With 20% down at 7.32%, FirstDoor scores a median-priced home Pass (−$657/mo cash flow).
Key numbers
The 1% rule in Winston-Salem
Before running a full analysis, many investors check whether rent is at least 1% of price. This is where Winston-Salem lands.
Across all rentals (not just 3-bedrooms) the ratio is 0.45%. A home renting for the median 3-bedroom rent would need to cost about $144,000 or less to pass.
A typical Winston-Salem home, scored
We took a home at the median value, gave it the median 3-bedroom rent, and ran it through the same math as the FirstDoor calculator: 20% down, a 30-year loan at 7.32%, the city's median tax rate, and standard expense budgets.
| 3-bedroom rent (median) | $1,445 |
| Property tax ($2,144/yr, local median) | −$179 |
| Insurance ($1,410/yr, assumed) | −$118 |
| Vacancy 5% · Maintenance 5% · Management 8% | −$260 |
| Net operating income | $889 |
| Mortgage (P&I on $224,960 at 7.32%) | −$1,545 |
| Monthly cash flow | −$657 |
What price works in Winston-Salem?
Same rent, different prices. Here's the most you could pay in Winston-Salem for each result, keeping the median 3-bedroom rent and local tax rate.
Takeaways
- A 0.51% rent-to-price ratio puts Winston-Salem in the middle of the pack (it would place #23 among the 50 largest). Expect to hunt for below-median prices to make the numbers work.
- A median-priced home here would cost you about $657/mo out of pocket after the mortgage and every expense. To break even you'd need to pay about $180,000, 36% below the median.
- Rents (+7.6%) and home values (+9.5%) moved roughly together from 2023 to 2024, so the ratio barely changed.
- Renters already spend a median 36.5% of income on rent, so don't count on big rent increases.
Frequently asked questions
Does Winston-Salem pass the 1% rule?
No, on typical numbers. The median 3-bedroom gross rent is $1,445/mo and the median home value is $281,200 (Census ACS 2024 1-year), a ratio of 0.51%. To pass at that rent, a home would need to cost about $144,000 or less.
What is the typical rent for a 3-bedroom in Winston-Salem?
The median gross rent for a 3-bedroom in Winston-Salem, NC is $1,445 a month, and $1,271 across all rentals (Census ACS 2024 1-year). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays, so the landlord's share can be a bit lower. The 3-bedroom median rose 7.6% from 2023.
Can you cash flow a rental in Winston-Salem?
At the median price, not easily. With 20% down at 7.32% and realistic expenses, a $281,200 home renting for $1,445 loses about $657/mo. It breaks even at roughly $180,000.
How much cash do you need to buy a typical rental in Winston-Salem?
About $64,640: a 20% down payment of $56,240 plus closing costs we assume at 3% ($8,400). Lenders often also want several months of reserves. Investment loans commonly need 15–25% down.
Is Winston-Salem a good place to buy a first rental?
FirstDoor scores a median-priced home in Winston-Salem as Pass (0 of 8 points). That's a starting point, not a verdict on every listing: neighborhoods vary, and buying below the median changes the math. Run any listing through the free calculator.
Compare similar markets
Keep learning
Sources
Data: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey 1-year estimates (released September 2025); year-over-year changes compare with 2023. Mortgage rate: Freddie Mac PMMS, week of October 22, 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026. Insurance ($1,410/yr), closing costs (3%), maintenance (5%) and management (8%) are FirstDoor assumptions, not local data. Investment-property loans often price above the PMMS average. Medians describe the whole city, not any one home. Educational content, not financial advice.