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ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28204

Pop. 9,314·Mecklenburg County·130th most expensive ZIP in North Carolina
Median rent (all units)
$1,629/mo
Year-over-Year
-2.9%
Month-over-Month
+0.4%
vs US Median
-$336
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 28204 · $1,629
More affordable than 64% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,308
1 BR
$1,373
2 BR
$1,502
3 BR
$1,852
4 BR+
$2,350
Research median
$1,502/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: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$19,548/yr
At $1,629/mo median
Location
StateNC
CountyMecklenburg County
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 2.9% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-2.9% YoY, +0.4% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28204 (Charlotte, NC) is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 77.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
9,314
Median income
$92,054
Median age
31
Renters
71.6%
Age distribution
47.8%
23%
Under 1810.9%
18–3447.8%
35–5423%
55–6410.3%
65+8%
Gender
49.5%
50.5%
Male49.5%
Female50.5%
Race & ethnicity
67.9%
18.3%
White67.9%
Black18.3%
Hispanic8%
Asian4.8%
Other1%
Education (25+)
77.7%
No HS diploma4.9%
HS diploma7.2%
Some college10.2%
Bachelor's+77.7%
Housing tenure
28.4%
71.6%
Owner28.4%
Renter71.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 28204 in Charlotte, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,343 → $1,629
up 21.3%
Income
$72,500 → $92,054
up 27.0%
Population
8,649 → 9,314
up 7.7%
Renter share
76.4% → 71.6%
-4.8 pts
Bachelor's+
72.7% → 77.7%
+5.0 pts

The median rent in ZIP 28204 in Charlotte, NC stood at $1,343 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,629, reflecting a 21.3% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $72,500 to $92,054 between 2021 and 2024, a 27.0% shift. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 7.7% since 2021, moving from about 8,649 residents to roughly 9,314. Renters now make up 71.6% of households, compared with 76.4% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 77.7% of adults here, versus 72.7% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 28204 in Charlotte, NC reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 28204

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 28204 covers Charlotte, NC. The median rent here is $1,629/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,373/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,502/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($92,054/yr), ZIP 28204 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 28204?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 28204 (Charlotte, NC) is $1,629. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 28204 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 28204's median rent of $1,629/mo is $336 (17%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 28204 compare to other ZIPs in North Carolina?

ZIP 28204 falls in the middle range for North Carolina, ranking #130 out of 227 ZIPs at $1,629/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28204?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $65,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,629/mo in ZIP 28204. The local median household income is $92,054/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 28204?

Rent in ZIP 28204 has decreased 2.9% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Is ZIP 28204 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 28204 is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,629/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($92,054/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 28204 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 28204 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 71.6% of ZIP 28204 households are renters, while 28.4% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 28204 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 28204 compare to the rest of Charlotte?

ZIP 28204 is more affordable than Charlotte overall. At $1,629/mo, it's $117 below the Charlotte citywide median of $1,746/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 28204 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 28204 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,629/mo, rent takes ~21% of ZIP 28204's median household income ($92,054/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 28204 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 28204 (Charlotte, NC)

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