At $1,802/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within 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 $1,802 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 Wendell changed -2.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.
Rent rose in 5 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($95,787) is $2,395 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,840); a 4-bedroom is $2,450.
Raleigh, 15 miles away, rents for 13% less ($1,572/mo), about $2,800 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Wendell. 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
Wendell, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 38.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Wendell, NC has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $95,787 today, compared with $67,321 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 9,847 to 13,064 between 2021 and 2024, a 32.7% change. About 21.8% of households rent today, against 31.3% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 31.5% to 38.2%.
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Can you afford rent in Wendell on your salary?
At $1,802/mo, how Wendell rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Wendell rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Wendell. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Wendell
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Wendell is $1,802/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,290/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,490/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,320/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,840/mo.
At 23% of local median household income ($95,787/yr), Wendell ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Wendell?
Is rent going up or down in Wendell?
How does Wendell rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wendell?
At $1,802/mo, rent takes ~23% of Wendell's median household income ($95,787/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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