At $1,628/mo, rent takes about 36% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,628 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Waynesville changed +4.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($54,923) is $1,373 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,285); a 4-bedroom is $1,746.
Sylva, 16 miles away, rents for 22% less ($1,275/mo), about $4,200 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Waynesville. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Waynesville, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 32.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Waynesville, NC has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $41,131 in 2021 to $54,923 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 10,087 to 10,502 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.1% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 29.7% to 32.9%.
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At $1,628/mo, how Waynesville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Waynesville rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Waynesville. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Waynesville
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Waynesville is $1,628/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $675/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $991/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,059/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,285/mo.
At 36% of local median household income ($54,923/yr), Waynesville ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Waynesville?
How does Waynesville rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
At $1,628/mo, rent takes ~36% of Waynesville's median household income ($54,923/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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