Dana, NC vs Waynesville, NC

Dana is moderately more affordable than Waynesville, with a 8.7% lower cost of living index. Dana scores 80 compared to 87 for Waynesville, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Waynesville can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Dana is $901/month compared to $1,105/month in Waynesville — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Dana is more affordable at $223,400 median vs $254,800.

Median household income in Dana is $55,801 compared to $50,554 in Waynesville (+10.4%). Dana offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Dana spend roughly 19.4% of their income on rent, less than the 26.2% in Waynesville.