ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28086

Part of Kings Mountain, NC

Pop. 29,460·Cleveland County·98th most expensive ZIP in North Carolina

Median rent (all units)

$1,701/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

+3.1%

vs US Median

-$231

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 28086 · $1,701

More affordable than 58% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$800

1 BR

$820

2 BR

$970

3 BR

$1,320

4 BR+

$1,410

Research median

$970/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

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($62,414) is $1,560 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,410).

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 28052, 8 miles away, rents for 19% less ($1,385/mo), about $3,800 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 28086. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$20,412/yr

At $1,701/mo median

Location

CityKings Mountain

StateNC

CountyCleveland County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +3.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28086 (Kings Mountain, NC) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 17.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

29,460

Median income

$62,414

Median age

41.2

Renters

27.6%

Age distribution

22.7%

21.8%

24.3%

14.6%

16.5%

Under 1822.7%

18–3421.8%

35–5424.3%

55–6414.6%

65+16.5%

Gender

47.9%

52.1%

Male47.9%

Female52.1%

Race & ethnicity

73.3%

16.1%

White73.3%

Black16.1%

Hispanic5.5%

Asian1.8%

Other3.3%

Education (25+)

14.9%

34.8%

32.8%

17.5%

No HS diploma14.9%

HS diploma34.8%

Some college32.8%

Bachelor's+17.5%

Housing tenure

72.4%

27.6%

Owner72.4%

Renter27.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 28086 in Kings Mountain, NC has changed in 5 years

Income

$52,575 → $62,414

up 18.7%

Population

27,478 → 29,460

up 7.2%

Renter share

26.8% → 27.6%

+0.8 pts

Bachelor's+

15.9% → 17.5%

+1.6 pts

Median age

41.9 → 41.2

-0.7 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $62,414 today, compared with $52,575 five years earlier. Census counts show ZIP 28086 in Kings Mountain, NC adding about 1,982 residents over the five-year window, up 7.2% on net.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 28086

About renting in ZIP 28086

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 28086 covers Kings Mountain, NC. The median rent here is $1,701/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $820/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $970/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($62,414/yr), ZIP 28086 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28086?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $68,000/year (about $33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,701/mo in ZIP 28086. The local median household income is $62,414/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.