Cost of Living in Wendell, NC
Population 11,585 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Wendell sits on the smaller end of the North Carolina city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.0% — below most comparable cities in the state.
Located 15 miles east of Raleigh, Wendell falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 16% lower than Raleigh's $378,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Wendell
The median home value in Wendell is $316,700 — 4% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,397/month, 6% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $93,848/year is 26% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.0%, 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 72.0°F and lows of 50.4°F, with about 5.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Wendell has a cost of living index of 105 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 5% more 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 | 52 | 56 | 63 | 73 | 80 | 87 | 91 | 89 | 83 | 73 | 63 | 55 |
| Low °F | 32 | 34 | 40 | 49 | 58 | 66 | 70 | 69 | 63 | 50 | 40 | 34 |
| Precip" | 3.43 | 2.78 | 4.10 | 3.53 | 3.38 | 3.89 | 5.02 | 4.71 | 5.15 | 3.37 | 3.32 | 3.39 |
| Snow" | 2.6 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.8 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Wendell, NC?
Wendell has a cost index of 105 (100 = national average). It is 5% above the national average.
What is average rent in Wendell, NC?
The median gross rent in Wendell is $1,397 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Wendell?
The median home value in Wendell is $316,700 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Wendell?
The median household income in Wendell is $93,848 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Wendell, NC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Wendell is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.
Is Wendell, NC affordable?
Wendell is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 105 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in Wendell?
Wendell has average high temperatures of 72.0°F and average lows of 50.4°F. Annual precipitation is 46.1". Average annual snowfall is 5.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Wendell at a Glance
- Population
- 11,585
- Median Income
- $93,848
- Home Value
- $316,700
- Median Rent
- $1,397/mo
- Unemployment
- 1.0%
- Avg High Temp
- 72.0°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
North Carolina Rankings
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