Home › Guides › North Carolina cities › Winston-Salem
Forsyth County · Winston-Salem, NCWinston-Salem, NC property taxes. Values held. Know when to push back.
The typical home in Winston-Salem was worth about $265,000 in January 2026, up 0.4% from a year earlier. In a steady market, an appeal works best for specific homes whose assessment ran ahead of what they'd sell for.
Check my Winston-Salem home for free →
What Winston-Salem home values did
Winston-Salem values rose 0.4% in the year to January 2026, reaching a new high. That's in line with Forsyth County as a whole (+1.0%).
Values have been roughly flat since January, through August 2026.
| Month | Typical value | vs. a year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| January 2021 | $187,000 | +12.9% |
| January 2022 | $216,000 | +15.1% |
| January 2023 | $243,000 | +12.4% |
| January 2024 | $256,000 | +5.7% |
| January 2025 | $264,000 | +3.0% |
| January 2026 | $265,000 | +0.4% |
| August 2026 (latest) | $263,000 | -0.8% since January |
January 2026 was the highest month since 2021.
What to check on your notice
The typical Winston-Salem home gained 0.4% in the year to January 2026. A notice that rose far more than that, or a value above what similar homes nearby actually sold for, is the usual starting point for an appeal.
How Winston-Salem compares nearby
Among 9 Forsyth County places, Winston-Salem has the 1st largest drop from its peak and the 9th highest typical value. Statewide, its 1-year change ranks 333rd of 631 North Carolina places, from weakest to strongest.
| Place | January 2026 | 1-year change | vs. peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem | $265,000 | +0.4% | At peak |
| Kernersville | $323,000 | +1.7% | At peak |
| Clemmons | $389,000 | +1.3% | At peak |
| Lewisville | $408,000 | +1.4% | At peak |
| Rural Hall | $274,000 | +1.5% | At peak |
| Walkertown | $271,000 | +2.5% | At peak |
| Tobaccoville | $271,000 | +3.0% | At peak |
| Belews Creek | $356,000 | +5.2% | At peak |
| Bethania | $291,000 | +4.9% | At peak |
Deadline and where to file
Winston-Salem values are set by the local county tax assessor. Ask for an informal review from the county assessor, then request a hearing with the county Board of Equalization and Review (BER) in writing or in person before the BER adjourns. The BER first meets between the first Monday in April and the first Monday in May, and normally adjourns by the third Monday after its first meeting and no later than July 1. In reappraisal years it may sit until December 1. The listing period runs from the first business day of January through January 31.
Reading this in fall 2026? The 2026 BER sessions have ended in most counties. The exception is a county that reappraised effective January 1, 2026, where the BER can sit until December 1, 2026, so check right away. Otherwise your next chance is spring 2027: the January 2027 listing period, then the BER meeting between early April and early May 2027, closing by July 1, 2027. If your county reappraises effective January 1, 2027, expect new values and a BER open into late 2027, with a December 1 limit.
The Forsyth County guide covers the full North Carolina appeal process: forms, fees, hearing levels and what happens next.
Building a Winston-Salem case
Averages explain why a case might work. The decision turns on evidence about one property. Winston-Salem is part of the Winston-Salem metro, but your evidence should be local. Sales a few streets away usually beat sales across the metro.
- Bring recent sales of similar homes near your property, valued as of January 1 of the reappraisal year.
Get your Winston-Salem appeal report
Start with your address. Vulorean checks your assessment against recent comparable sales and builds a value report you can bring to your North Carolina appeal. Eligible reports are free during launch; an account is required and local filing fees are separate.
Check my property and get a report →Vulorean was built for California first. North Carolina forms, deadlines and filing rules vary, so confirm them with your local office before filing. If something in your report looks wrong, email support@vulorean.com and we'll get it fixed.
Home values: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), all homes, mid-tier, smoothed and seasonally adjusted, through August 2026, from Zillow Research. Rules: N.C.G.S. 105-322 Board of equalization and review, N.C.G.S. 105-286 Reappraisal schedule, N.C.G.S. 105-290 Appeals to Property Tax Commission, N.C.G.S. 105-307 Listing period. Vulorean is an independent service, not a government office. Confirm dates and forms with your local office.