Unaffordable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Waynesboro?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Waynesboro, you need to earn at least $34,160/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $24,779, which means the typical resident is $9,381 below the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 4,576

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$598	$1,993	$23,920	$-859
1 Bedroom	$709	$2,363	$28,360	+$3,581
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$854	$2,847	$34,160	+$9,381
3 Bedroom	$1,042	$3,473	$41,680	+$16,901
4 Bedroom	$1,281	$4,270	$51,240	+$26,461

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Waynesboro's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$24,779

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$34,160

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

-$9,381

Deficit

Verdict

Unaffordable

Ratio: 41.4%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Waynesboro

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Waynesboro's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$619

Studio

$598/mo

1 BR

$709/mo

2 BR

$854/mo

3 BR

$1,042/mo

4 BR

$1,281/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Waynesboro.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Waynesboro's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Waynesboro

Renting in Waynesboro is unaffordable for most median earners. The $9,381 income gap means a 2-bedroom at $854/month requires significant above-median earnings or a dual-income household to be sustainable.

For those committed to Waynesboro, the realistic options are: (1) target a studio at $598/month, which requires $23,920/year — closer to the median; (2) find a roommate for a 2-bedroom, cutting individual costs to ~$427/month; or (3) negotiate remote work and live in a more affordable Mississippi city.

To live comfortably in Waynesboro without financial strain, you realistically need a household income of $51,240 or higher. This isn't just about rent — it accounts for Mississippi's overall cost of living including transportation, food, and healthcare.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Waynesboro, Mississippi.

With a total population of 4,576, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 1,222 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $34,160 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

1,222

Active civilian employees in Waynesboro

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Waynesboro

What salary do I need to live in Waynesboro, Mississippi?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Waynesboro under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $34,160. The median household income in Waynesboro is $24,779.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Waynesboro on $24,779?

The affordability verdict for Waynesboro is "Unaffordable". The rent-to-income ratio is 41.4%, meaning there's a $9,381 income gap.

What is the average rent in Waynesboro compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Waynesboro is $709/month. With a median household income of $24,779, residents spend approximately 41.4% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Waynesboro?

A studio in Waynesboro rents for approximately $598/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $23,920 to afford this.

Is Waynesboro considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the deficit of $9,381 and an affordability verdict of "Unaffordable", Waynesboro is considered a unaffordable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $34,160 to the local median household income.

How Waynesboro Compares

Other cities in Mississippi with salary requirements