ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28081

Part of Kannapolis, NC

Pop. 29,075·Cabarrus County·138th most expensive ZIP in North Carolina

Median rent (all units)

$1,585/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.1%

Month-over-Month

+0.3%

vs US Median

-$347

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 28081 · $1,585

More affordable than 67% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,050

1 BR

$1,080

2 BR

$1,250

3 BR

$1,580

4 BR+

$2,010

Research median

$1,250/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 28081 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of North Carolina

Rent in ZIP 28081 changed +3.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 190 North Carolina ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($71,665) is $1,792 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,580); a 4-bedroom is $2,010.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 28081. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$19,020/yr

At $1,585/mo median

Location

CityKannapolis

StateNC

CountyCabarrus County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (3.1% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.1% YoY, +0.3% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28081 (Kannapolis, NC) is majority owner-occupied, 26.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

29,075

Median income

$71,665

Median age

39.7

Renters

26.5%

Age distribution

22.1%

21.6%

27.1%

13.4%

15.8%

Under 1822.1%

18–3421.6%

35–5427.1%

55–6413.4%

65+15.8%

Gender

49.2%

50.8%

Male49.2%

Female50.8%

Race & ethnicity

66.7%

16.5%

White66.7%

Black16.5%

Hispanic11.1%

Asian1.7%

Other3.9%

Education (25+)

28.4%

34.5%

26.2%

No HS diploma10.9%

HS diploma28.4%

Some college34.5%

Bachelor's+26.2%

Housing tenure

73.5%

26.5%

Owner73.5%

Renter26.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How ZIP 28081 in Kannapolis, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,283 → $1,585

up 23.5%

Income

$57,867 → $71,665

up 23.8%

Population

28,874 → 29,075

up 0.7%

Renter share

33.8% → 26.5%

-7.3 pts

Bachelor's+

21.3% → 26.2%

+4.9 pts

Median age

36.7 → 39.7

+3.0 yrs

Since 2022, the typical rent in ZIP 28081 in Kannapolis, NC has climbed from $1,283 to $1,585, a 23.5% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $57,867 in 2021 to $71,665 more recently. Renters now make up 26.5% of households, compared with 33.8% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 26.2% of adults here, versus 21.3% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the ZIP 28081 in Kannapolis, NC market of 2022.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 28081

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 28081 covers Kannapolis, NC. The median rent here is $1,585/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,080/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,250/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($71,665/yr), ZIP 28081 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28081?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (about $30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,585/mo in ZIP 28081. The local median household income is $71,665/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 28081?

Rent in ZIP 28081 has risen 3.1% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2022.

How does ZIP 28081 compare to other ZIPs in North Carolina?

ZIP 28081 is in the middle among North Carolina ZIP codes for rent, ranking #138 of 230 at $1,585/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 28081 changed +3.1%, against a typical +2.6% across the 190 North Carolina ZIP codes Zillow tracks.