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ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28209

Pop. 24,331·Mecklenburg County·129th most expensive ZIP in North Carolina
Median rent (all units)
$1,634/mo
Year-over-Year
-0.2%
Month-over-Month
-0.1%
vs US Median
-$331
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 28209 · $1,634
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
$1,630
1 BR
$1,710
2 BR
$1,870
3 BR
$2,300
4 BR+
$2,920
Research median
$1,870/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
$19,608/yr
At $1,634/mo median
Location
StateNC
CountyMecklenburg County
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (-0.2% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28209 (Charlotte, NC) is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 70.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
24,331
Median income
$101,873
Median age
33.7
Renters
52%
Age distribution
18.5%
34.7%
27.3%
Under 1818.5%
18–3434.7%
35–5427.3%
55–6410%
65+9.6%
Gender
53.3%
46.7%
Male53.3%
Female46.7%
Race & ethnicity
76.3%
White76.3%
Black8.5%
Hispanic8.4%
Asian2.3%
Other4.6%
Education (25+)
16.7%
70.9%
No HS diploma2.6%
HS diploma9.9%
Some college16.7%
Bachelor's+70.9%
Housing tenure
48%
52%
Owner48%
Renter52%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 28209 in Charlotte, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,338 → $1,634
up 22.1%
Income
$84,113 → $101,873
up 21.1%
Population
23,339 → 24,331
up 4.3%
Renter share
47.2% → 52%
+4.8 pts
Bachelor's+
68.8% → 70.9%
+2.1 pts

Five years ago, renters in ZIP 28209 in Charlotte, NC paid around $1,338 a month. That figure now sits near $1,634, up 22.1% from the 2021 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $101,873 today, compared with $84,113 five years earlier. Census counts show ZIP 28209 in Charlotte, NC adding about 992 residents over the five-year window, up 4.3% on net. The renter share has risen from 47.2% to 52%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 68.8% to 70.9% across the same window. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 28209

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 28209 covers Charlotte, NC. The median rent here is $1,634/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,710/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,870/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($101,873/yr), ZIP 28209 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 28209?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 28209 (Charlotte, NC) is $1,634. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 28209 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 28209's median rent of $1,634/mo is $331 (17%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 28209 compare to other ZIPs in North Carolina?

ZIP 28209 falls in the middle range for North Carolina, ranking #129 out of 227 ZIPs at $1,634/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28209?

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 $1,634/mo in ZIP 28209. The local median household income is $101,873/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 28209?

Rent in ZIP 28209 has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.2% change year over year as of July 20, 2026.

Is ZIP 28209 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 28209 is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,634/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($101,873/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 28209 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 28209 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52% of ZIP 28209 households are renters, while 48% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 28209 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 28209 compare to the rest of Charlotte?

ZIP 28209 is more affordable than Charlotte overall. At $1,634/mo, it's $112 below the Charlotte citywide median of $1,746/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 28209 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 28209 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,634/mo, rent takes ~19% of ZIP 28209's median household income ($101,873/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 28209 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 28209 (Charlotte, NC)

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