Cost of Living in Waynesville, NC
Population 10,408 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Waynesville a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $255,000. An unemployment rate of 2.5% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Located 65 miles southeast of Knoxville, Waynesville is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 19% higher than Knoxville's $214,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Waynesville
The median home value in Waynesville is $254,800 — 16% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,105/month, 16% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,554/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.5%, below the national average of 4.8%. North Carolina's top state income tax rate is 4.5% and the combined sales tax is 7.0%. The climate averages highs of 66.5°F and lows of 42.6°F. Overall, Waynesville has a cost of living index of 84 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 48 | 51 | 59 | 68 | 75 | 80 | 83 | 82 | 77 | 68 | 58 | 50 |
| Low °F | 25 | 28 | 34 | 41 | 49 | 57 | 61 | 60 | 54 | 42 | 33 | 28 |
| Precip" | 4.02 | 3.33 | 4.08 | 4.72 | 4.39 | 4.43 | 5.69 | 4.13 | 4.61 | 3.47 | 4.26 | 4.03 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Waynesville, NC?
Waynesville has a cost index of 84 (100 = national average). It is 16% below the national average.
What is average rent in Waynesville, NC?
The median gross rent in Waynesville is $1,105 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Waynesville?
The median home value in Waynesville is $254,800 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Waynesville?
The median household income in Waynesville is $50,554 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Waynesville, NC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Waynesville is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.
Is Waynesville, NC affordable?
Yes, Waynesville is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 84 — about 16% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Waynesville?
Waynesville has average high temperatures of 66.5°F and average lows of 42.6°F. Annual precipitation is 51.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Waynesville at a Glance
- Population
- 10,408
- Median Income
- $50,554
- Home Value
- $254,800
- Median Rent
- $1,105/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.5%
- Avg High Temp
- 66.5°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Explore county-level cost of living data
North Carolina Rankings
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