Winston-Salem, NC Rental Market Analysis

Updated March 2026 · Population: 249,877 · Data for rental property investors

Median Home Price
$225,000
Median Rent
$1,200/mo
Avg Cap Rate
7%
Avg Cash on Cash
8.5%
Home Price Growth
+3.5% YoY
Rent Growth
+3.8% YoY
Vacancy Rate
5.5%
Property Tax Rate
1%

Sample Deal: Median Winston-Salem Rental Property

Purchase Price
$225,000
Down Payment (25%)
$56,250
Monthly Rent
$1,200/mo
Est. Monthly Mortgage
$1,067/mo
NOI (Annual)
$10,108
DSCR
0.79

* Based on 25% down, 6.5% interest, 30-year term. Includes taxes, insurance, and vacancy allowance. Does not include maintenance, management, or capital expenditures.

Why Invest in Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem offers a compelling blend of affordability and economic stability for rental property investors. The city is anchored by two massive healthcare systems — Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Novant Health — that together employ tens of thousands of workers. Wake Forest University adds student rental demand and attracts young professionals to the area. The Truist Financial headquarters (formerly BB&T) provides a Fortune 500 corporate presence, and the legacy tobacco and textile companies have been replaced by innovation hubs and biotech research. North Carolina has no rent control, landlord-friendly eviction laws, and property taxes around 1% — making the Triad region one of the most investor-friendly areas on the East Coast.

Major Employers in Winston-Salem

Understanding the local employment base is critical for evaluating rental demand stability. Winston-Salem's economy is anchored by:

Wake Forest Baptist Medical CenterNovant HealthReynolds AmericanHanesbrandsWake Forest UniversityBB&T (Truist)

Best Neighborhoods for Rental Investors

Ardmore
West End
Buena Vista
Reynolda
Sherwood Forest

Top Zip Codes for Investors

2710127103271042710527106

Investor Tip: Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is significantly more affordable than Raleigh or Charlotte while still benefiting from North Carolina's strong business climate. The Ardmore and West End neighborhoods near downtown offer walkable urban rentals attractive to Wake Forest students and medical professionals. For pure cash flow, look at properties near Novant Health's main campus where working-class tenants provide reliable occupancy. The Triad metro (Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point) gives you access to a combined population of 1.7 million — diversifying your tenant base across three cities.

Analyze Your Winston-Salem Deal

Use becvio's free calculators to run the numbers on any Winston-Salem property.

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Learn More

What Is Cap Rate?·Understanding NOI·DSCR Explained·Cash on Cash Return·Rental Property Analysis Guide