B-

Wanchese, NC

Source:

Affordability Score: 65/100

Population: 1,643 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Wanchese, NC aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 1,643 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of B- (65/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $88,750, median home value of $311,800, median rent of $1,073 per month, and 28.8% 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 $1,430 per month (studio $1,120, 1BR $1,305, 3BR $1,821, 4BR $1,893). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $11,967 per year, consuming 13% 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 Wanchese, NC include income, rent. Unemployment currently reads 2.0% and poverty 6.9% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income B+
$88,750
Median household income
Education D
28.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing D
3.5x
Home value $311,800 vs income
Commute N/A
N/A
Average commute time
Rent A-
$1,430/mo
2BR fair market rent (19% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare C
$11,967/yr
Center-based infant care (13% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$88,750
▲ 43% vs national
Per Capita Income
$39,682
Unemployment Rate
2.0%
Poverty Rate
6.9%

Housing

Median Home Value
$311,800
▲ 13% vs national
Median Rent
$1,073/mo
Owner Occupied
69.4%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,430/mo
▲ 19% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,120
1BR
$1,305
2BR
$1,430
3BR
$1,821
4BR
$1,893

Safety

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

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
28.8%
▼ 1 ppt vs national
High School+
70.5%
Median Age
36.4
Avg. Commute

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$11,967/yr
13% of income
Toddler (Center)
$10,623/yr
Preschool (Center)
$9,209/yr
School-Age (Center)
$5,295/yr

What This Means

Wanchese, NC receives an overall affordability grade of B- (65/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 1,643. This area performs well in income and rent. Data was unavailable for commute, safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Wanchese ZIP Codes
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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Wanchese, NC affordable?
Wanchese, NC receives an overall affordability grade of B- (65/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $88,750. Median home value is $311,800.
What is the cost of living in Wanchese?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $1,073/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,430/mo. Infant childcare $11,967/yr. Median home value $311,800.
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 →