What it actually costs to live in
Wake County, NC.
Living wage breakdown for Wake County, North Carolina — by household size.
Living wage by household size
| Household | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | $17.51 | $36,427 |
| 1 Adult, 1 Child | $27.07 | $56,307 |
| 1 Adult, 2 Children | $36.13 | $75,149 |
| 1 Adult, 3 Children | $45.00 | $93,595 |
| 2 Adults (1 working) | $23.35 | $48,565 |
| 2 Adults, 1 Child | $33.07 | $68,776 |
| 2 Adults, 2 Children | $41.81 | $86,955 |
| 2 Adults, 3 Children | $50.35 | $104,727 |
Annual cost breakdown (1 Adult)
| Category | Annual Cost | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $11,578 | $965 |
| Food | $4,573 | $381 |
| Medical | $3,538 | $295 |
| Transportation | $5,290 | $441 |
| Childcare | $0 | $0 |
| Civic & Other | $2,161 | $180 |
| Personal & Misc | $2,730 | $228 |
| Taxes | $6,557 | $546 |
| Total | $36,427 | $3,036 |
Wage comparison
Living wage$17.51/hr
Minimum wage$7.25/hr
Poverty wage$7.52/hr
Have a salary in mind for Wake County?
Check a salary →Data calculated from HUD, BLS, USDA, and Census data (2025). Methodology based on MIT Living Wage Calculator research.