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ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28278

Pop. 37,420·Mecklenburg County·48th most expensive ZIP in North Carolina
Median rent (all units)
$1,897/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.0%
Month-over-Month
+0.6%
vs US Median
-$68
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 28278 · $1,897
More expensive than 54% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,810
1 BR
$1,900
2 BR
$2,080
3 BR
$2,560
4 BR+
$3,250
Research median
$2,080/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
$22,764/yr
At $1,897/mo median
Location
StateNC
CountyMecklenburg County
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (4.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.0% YoY, +0.6% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28278 (Charlotte, 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
37,420
Median income
$125,470
Median age
36.6
Renters
25.7%
Age distribution
25.5%
20.9%
32%
Under 1825.5%
18–3420.9%
35–5432%
55–6410.6%
65+11%
Gender
48.7%
51.3%
Male48.7%
Female51.3%
Race & ethnicity
38.2%
31.5%
14.5%
White38.2%
Black31.5%
Hispanic14.5%
Asian8.6%
Other7.3%
Education (25+)
12.5%
24.2%
58.2%
No HS diploma5.1%
HS diploma12.5%
Some college24.2%
Bachelor's+58.2%
Housing tenure
74.3%
25.7%
Owner74.3%
Renter25.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 28278 in Charlotte, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,555 → $1,897
up 22.0%
Income
$107,998 → $125,470
up 16.2%
Population
34,272 → 37,420
up 9.2%
Renter share
25.4% → 25.7%
+0.3 pts
Bachelor's+
50% → 58.2%
+8.2 pts
Median age
35.8 → 36.6
+0.8 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in ZIP 28278 in Charlotte, NC has increased by $342 per month, settling near $1,897 after starting the period at $1,555. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 28278 in Charlotte, NC now reports about $125,470, up from $107,998 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 5.8 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 34,272 to 37,420 between 2021 and 2024, a 9.2% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 50% to 58.2%. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 28278 in Charlotte, NC reflects that arc in its own way.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 28278

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 28278 covers Charlotte, NC. The median rent here is $1,897/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,900/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,080/mo.

At 18% of local median household income ($125,470/yr), ZIP 28278 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 28278?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 28278 (Charlotte, NC) is $1,897. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 28278 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 28278's median rent of $1,897/mo is $68 (3%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 28278 compare to other ZIPs in North Carolina?

ZIP 28278 is one of the pricier ZIP codes in North Carolina, ranking #48 out of 227 ZIPs tracked at $1,897/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28278?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $76,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,897/mo in ZIP 28278. The local median household income is $125,470/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 28278?

Rent in ZIP 28278 has increased 4.0% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 28278 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 28278 is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,897/mo, rent takes approximately 18% of the local median household income ($125,470/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 28278 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 28278 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 25.7% of ZIP 28278 households are renters, while 74.3% are owner-occupied. ZIP 28278 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 28278 compare to the rest of Charlotte?

ZIP 28278 is pricier than Charlotte as a whole. At $1,897/mo, it's $151 above the Charlotte citywide median of $1,746/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 28278 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 28278 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
18%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,897/mo, rent takes ~18% of ZIP 28278's median household income ($125,470/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 28278 18%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 28278 (Charlotte, NC)

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