ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28104

Part of Matthews, NC

Pop. 36,641·Union County·9th most expensive ZIP in North Carolina

Median rent (all units)

$2,292/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.0%

Month-over-Month

+0.8%

vs US Median

+$360

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 28104 · $2,292

More expensive than 73% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,780

1 BR

$1,860

2 BR

$2,040

3 BR

$2,510

4 BR+

$3,190

Research median

$2,040/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 28104 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in October 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of North Carolina

Rent in ZIP 28104 changed +3.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 190 North Carolina ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($138,017) is $3,450 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($3,190).

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 28105, 4 miles away, rents for 27% less ($1,674/mo), about $7,400 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 28104. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$27,504/yr

At $2,292/mo median

Location

CityMatthews

StateNC

CountyUnion County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (3.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.0% YoY, +0.8% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28104 (Matthews, NC) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 58.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

36,641

Median income

$138,017

Median age

41.6

Renters

9.4%

Age distribution

25.1%

17%

31.9%

14.6%

Under 1825.1%

18–3417%

35–5431.9%

55–6411.4%

65+14.6%

Gender

48.4%

51.6%

Male48.4%

Female51.6%

Race & ethnicity

74.5%

White74.5%

Black6.8%

Hispanic8.1%

Asian7.9%

Other2.7%

Education (25+)

13.5%

23.2%

58.9%

No HS diploma4.4%

HS diploma13.5%

Some college23.2%

Bachelor's+58.9%

Housing tenure

90.6%

Owner90.6%

Renter9.4%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 28104 in Matthews, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,999 → $2,292

up 14.7%

Income

$118,866 → $138,017

up 16.1%

Population

33,962 → 36,641

up 7.9%

Renter share

7% → 9.4%

+2.4 pts

Bachelor's+

54.3% → 58.9%

+4.6 pts

Median age

40.9 → 41.6

+0.7 yrs

The median rent in ZIP 28104 in Matthews, NC stood at $1,999 in 2023 and currently runs about $2,292, reflecting a 14.7% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $118,866 to $138,017 across the same window, up 16.1% versus 2021. The population has grown by 7.9% since 2021, moving from about 33,962 residents to roughly 36,641. Renters now make up 9.4% of households, compared with 7% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 58.9% of adults here, versus 54.3% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 28104 in Matthews, NC look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 28104

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 28104 covers Matthews, NC. The median rent here is $2,292/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,860/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,040/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($138,017/yr), ZIP 28104 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28104?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $92,000/year (about $44/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,292/mo in ZIP 28104. The local median household income is $138,017/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 28104?

Rent in ZIP 28104 has risen 3.0% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in October 2022.

How does ZIP 28104 compare to other ZIPs in North Carolina?

ZIP 28104 is one of the pricier among North Carolina ZIP codes for rent, ranking #9 of 230 at $2,292/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 28104 changed +3.0%, against a typical +2.6% across the 190 North Carolina ZIP codes Zillow tracks.