ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28173

Part of Waxhaw, NC
Pop. 65,274·Union County·1st most expensive ZIP in North Carolina
Median rent (all units)
$2,637/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.9%
Month-over-Month
+0.6%
vs US Median
+$705
Reported rents
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 28173 · $2,637
More expensive than 83% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,730
1 BR
$1,820
2 BR
$1,990
3 BR
$2,450
4 BR+
$3,110
Research median
$1,990/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

Cheapest month to sign

November. Asking rents in ZIP 28173 usually run 0.7% below trend in November and 0.7% above it in July, about $37 a month apart at today's median. Based on 10 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 28173 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2016.

Past year vs. the rest of North Carolina

Rent in ZIP 28173 changed +5.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 190 North Carolina ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.

Rent vs. income since 2019

From 2019 to 2024, rent in ZIP 28173 rose 38.5% while median household income rose 19.9% ($125,591 to $150,597). Rent outpaced income.

Since before the pandemic

Rent in ZIP 28173 is 48.1% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 8 months in a row, and rose in 11 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($150,597) is $3,765 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($3,110).

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 29707, 8 miles away, rents for 34% less ($1,739/mo), about $10,800 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 28173. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost
$31,644/yr
At $2,637/mo median
Location
CityWaxhaw
StateNC
CountyUnion County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 5.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.9% YoY, +0.6% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28173 (Waxhaw, NC) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 58.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
65,274
Median income
$150,597
Median age
41.2
Renters
10%
Age distribution
28.9%
14.8%
33.2%
12.2%
Under 1828.9%
18–3414.8%
35–5433.2%
55–6412.2%
65+10.9%
Gender
49.9%
50.1%
Male49.9%
Female50.1%
Race & ethnicity
73.5%
White73.5%
Black8.3%
Hispanic7.8%
Asian8.1%
Other2.3%
Education (25+)
14.6%
22.8%
58.2%
No HS diploma4.4%
HS diploma14.6%
Some college22.8%
Bachelor's+58.2%
Housing tenure
90%
Owner90%
Renter10%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 28173 in Waxhaw, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,987 → $2,637
up 32.7%
Income
$135,541 → $150,597
up 11.1%
Population
60,070 → 65,274
up 8.7%
Renter share
10.8% → 10%
-0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
58.1% → 58.2%
+0.1 pts
Median age
40.6 → 41.2
+0.6 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in ZIP 28173 in Waxhaw, NC has climbed from $1,987 to $2,637, a 32.7% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 28173 in Waxhaw, NC now reports about $150,597, up from $135,541 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 8.7% since 2021, moving from about 60,070 residents to roughly 65,274. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 28173 in Waxhaw, NC reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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About renting in ZIP 28173

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 28173 covers Waxhaw, NC. The median rent here is $2,637/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,820/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,990/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($150,597/yr), ZIP 28173 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28173?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $105,000/year (about $50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,637/mo in ZIP 28173. The local median household income is $150,597/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 28173?

Rent in ZIP 28173 has risen 5.9% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2016.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 28173?

Asking rents in ZIP 28173 are usually lowest in November, about 0.7% below their yearly trend, and highest in July, about 0.7% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $37 a month. This pattern comes from 10 years of Zillow rent data.

Has rent outpaced income in ZIP 28173?

Yes. From 2019 to 2024, rent in ZIP 28173 rose 38.5% while median household income rose 19.9%, from $125,591 to $150,597. Rent is Zillow's yearly average; income is the Census 5-year estimate for the same years.

How does ZIP 28173 compare to other ZIPs in North Carolina?

ZIP 28173 is one of the pricier among North Carolina ZIP codes for rent, ranking #1 of 230 at $2,637/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 28173 changed +5.9%, against a typical +2.6% across the 190 North Carolina ZIP codes Zillow tracks.

How does ZIP 28173 compare to the rest of Waxhaw?

At $2,637/mo, ZIP 28173 is $11 above the Waxhaw citywide median of $2,626/mo.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,637/mo, rent takes ~21% of ZIP 28173's median household income ($150,597/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 28173 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
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