ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28723

Part of Cullowhee, NC

Pop. 12,756·Jackson County·218th most expensive ZIP in North Carolina

Median rent (all units)

$1,171/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

-7.6%

vs US Median

-$761

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 28723 · $1,171

More affordable than 92% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$890

1 BR

$1,000

2 BR

$1,110

3 BR

$1,330

4 BR+

$1,570

Research median

$1,110/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: June 22, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($45,568) is $1,139 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,110); a 3-bedroom is $1,330.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 28723. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$14,052/yr

At $1,171/mo median

Location

CityCullowhee

StateNC

CountyJackson County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -7.6% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28723 (Cullowhee, NC) is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 35.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

12,756

Median income

$45,568

Median age

22.2

Renters

63.5%

Age distribution

60.8%

12.6%

12.1%

Under 188.4%

18–3460.8%

35–5412.6%

55–646.2%

65+12.1%

Gender

49.3%

50.7%

Male49.3%

Female50.7%

Race & ethnicity

82.3%

White82.3%

Black5.8%

Hispanic10.2%

Other1.3%

Education (25+)

30.9%

27.2%

35.9%

No HS diploma5.9%

HS diploma30.9%

Some college27.2%

Bachelor's+35.9%

Housing tenure

36.5%

63.5%

Owner36.5%

Renter63.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 28723 in Cullowhee, NC has changed in 5 years

Income

$39,356 → $45,568

up 15.8%

Population

10,764 → 12,756

up 18.5%

Renter share

57.7% → 63.5%

+5.8 pts

Bachelor's+

36.7% → 35.9%

-0.8 pts

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 28723 in Cullowhee, NC now reports about $45,568, up from $39,356 in 2021. The population has grown by 18.5% since 2021, moving from about 10,764 residents to roughly 12,756. Renters now make up 63.5% of households, compared with 57.7% five years ago.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 28723

About renting in ZIP 28723

Last updated: June 22, 2026

ZIP code 28723 covers Cullowhee, NC. The median rent here is $1,171/mo as of June 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,000/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,110/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($45,568/yr), ZIP 28723 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28723?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $47,000/year (about $23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,171/mo in ZIP 28723. The local median household income is $45,568/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.