C+

Knightdale, NC

Source:

Affordability Score: 62/100

Population: 23,006 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Knightdale, NC aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 23,006 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C+ (62/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $91,527, median home value of $346,900, median rent of $1,652 per month, and 40.2% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $1,750 per month (studio $1,524, 1BR $1,596, 3BR $2,196, 4BR $2,936). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $15,979 per year, consuming 17% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Knightdale, NC include income. Unemployment currently reads 5.1% and poverty 10.7% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income B+
$91,527
Median household income
Education B
40.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing D
3.8x
Home value $346,900 vs income
Commute C
25 min
Average commute time
Rent B
$1,750/mo
2BR fair market rent (23% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare D
$15,979/yr
Center-based infant care (17% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$91,527
▲ 48% vs national
Per Capita Income
$40,862
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Poverty Rate
10.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
$346,900
▲ 26% vs national
Median Rent
$1,652/mo
Owner Occupied
70.5%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,750/mo
▲ 46% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,524
1BR
$1,596
2BR
$1,750
3BR
$2,196
4BR
$2,936

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
40.2%
▲ 10 ppt vs national
High School+
60.1%
Median Age
33.8
Avg. Commute
25 min
▼ 1 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$15,979/yr
17% of income
Toddler (Center)
$13,061/yr
Preschool (Center)
$9,809/yr
School-Age (Center)
$5,171/yr

What This Means

Knightdale, NC receives an overall affordability grade of C+ (62/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 23,006. This area performs well in income. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Knightdale, NC affordable?
Knightdale, NC receives an overall affordability grade of C+ (62/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $91,527. Median home value is $346,900.
What is the cost of living in Knightdale?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $1,652/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,750/mo. Infant childcare $15,979/yr. Median home value $346,900.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →