Matthews, NC vs Wendell, NC

Wendell is moderately more affordable than Matthews, with a 14.9% lower cost of living index. Matthews scores 118 compared to 103 for Wendell, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Matthews can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Matthews is $1,670/month compared to $1,397/month in Wendell — a 20% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wendell is more affordable at $316,700 median vs $406,800.

Median household income in Matthews is $105,579 compared to $93,848 in Wendell (+12.5%). The higher salaries in Matthews partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Matthews spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, more than the 17.9% in Wendell.