Lowell, NC vs Waynesville, NC

Lowell is moderately more affordable than Waynesville, with a 10.5% lower cost of living index. Lowell scores 78 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 Lowell is $1,044/month compared to $1,105/month in Waynesville — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lowell is more affordable at $152,200 median vs $254,800.

Median household income in Lowell is $51,829 compared to $50,554 in Waynesville (+2.5%). Lowell offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lowell spend roughly 24.2% of their income on rent, less than the 26.2% in Waynesville.