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City Report · NC

Waynesville

Pop. 10,502·88th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Waynesville, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,559/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.6%
Month-over-Month
-9.0%
vs US Median
-$406
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Waynesville · $1,559
More affordable than 72% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
34% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,559/mo, rent takes about 34% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$62,000/yr
Local median income
$54,923/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Waynesville's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$675
1 BR
$1,059
2 BR
$991
3 BR
$1,285
4 BR+
$1,746
Research median
$991/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$18,708/yr
At $1,559/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 2.6% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.6% YoY, -9.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
10,502
Median income
$54,923
Median age
46
Renters
42.7%
Age distribution
15.8%
21%
22.5%
14%
26.8%
Under 1815.8%
18–3421%
35–5422.5%
55–6414%
65+26.8%
Gender
48.1%
51.9%
Male48.1%
Female51.9%
Race & ethnicity
88.8%
White88.8%
Black1.3%
Hispanic6.6%
Other3%
Education (25+)
12.7%
25.4%
29%
32.9%
No HS diploma12.7%
HS diploma25.4%
Some college29%
Bachelor's+32.9%
Housing tenure
57.3%
42.7%
Owner57.3%
Renter42.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Waynesville, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$41,131 → $54,923
up 33.5%
Population
10,087 → 10,502
up 4.1%
Renter share
43.2% → 42.7%
-0.5 pts
Bachelor's+
29.7% → 32.9%
+3.2 pts
Median age
47.6 → 46
-1.6 yrs

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%.

Community

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View Waynesville rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Waynesville on your salary?

At $1,559/mo, how Waynesville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Waynesville rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Waynesville. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Waynesville

About renting in Waynesville, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Waynesville is $1,559/mo as of July 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 34% of local median household income ($54,923/yr), Waynesville ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Waynesville an affordable city for renters?

Waynesville is considered moderate for renters. At $1,559/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($54,923/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Waynesville slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Waynesville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $62,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,559/mo in Waynesville. The local median household income is $54,923/yr, meaning the typical Waynesville household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Waynesville?

Rent in Waynesville has increased 2.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Waynesville rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Waynesville is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #88 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,559/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Waynesville?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Waynesville ($1,559/mo): Cullowhee ($1,171/mo), Sylva ($1,544/mo), Arden ($1,547/mo).

What percentage of Waynesville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.7% of Waynesville households are renters, while 57.3% are owner-occupied. Waynesville leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Waynesville rent compare to the national average?

Waynesville's median rent of $1,559/mo is $406 (21%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #88 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $1,559/mo, rent takes ~34% of Waynesville's median household income ($54,923/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Waynesville 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Waynesville affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Waynesville, NC

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