Is Wake Forest Expensive?

Raleigh, United States

-18% vs Raleigh avg

Living in Wake Forest, Raleigh

Wake Forest is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Raleigh, with a cost of living index of 48.1 — that is -18% compared to the Raleigh average. Ranked #23 of 30, it offers some of the lowest costs in the city. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $1,189/month, compared to a range of $986 in Zebulon to $1,812 in Chapel Hill.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Wake Forest, housing takes up roughly 37% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $47,560 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Wake Forest

Salaries in Wake Forest reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 48.1:

After tax and deductions of 23.5% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $47,560 would be roughly $36,383/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

48.1
COLI Index
0.82x
vs City Avg
$1,189
Est. 1BR Rent
#23
of 30 Areas
23.5%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Wake Forest

Estimated annual deductions on a $36,075 salary in Wake Forest, Raleigh (local employee).

Income Tax
11%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (NC)
4.5%
Total Deductions: 23.5%
Est. Take-Home: $27,595/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Wake Forest would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $36,075
London GBP £31,046
Dubai AED AED 180,512

Other Neighborhoods in Raleigh

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Chapel Hill 73.2 1.25x +25%
Glenwood South 71.5 1.22x +22%
Downtown Raleigh 70.3 1.20x +20%
North Hills 69.1 1.18x +18%
ITB (Inside the Beltline) 69.1 1.18x +18%

View all 30 neighborhoods in Raleigh →

Convert Your Salary

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Wake Forest:

Pearland, Houston Farsta, Stockholm Villeray, Montreal Saint-Henri, Montreal Gilbert, Phoenix North Phoenix, Phoenix

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wake Forest expensive in Raleigh?

Wake Forest is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Raleigh. It costs about -18% less than the city average, ranking #23 out of 30 neighborhoods.

How does Wake Forest compare to the Raleigh average?

The cost of living in Wake Forest is below the Raleigh average. With a multiplier of 0.82x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -18% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.