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ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28778

Pop. 13,536·Buncombe County·39th most expensive ZIP in North Carolina
Median rent (all units)
$1,963/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-7.5%
vs US Median
-$2
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 28778 · $1,963
More expensive than 58% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,170
1 BR
$1,230
2 BR
$1,370
3 BR
$1,760
4 BR+
$2,320
Research median
$1,370/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
$23,556/yr
At $1,963/mo median
Location
StateNC
CountyBuncombe 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, -7.5% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28778 (Swannanoa, NC) is majority owner-occupied, 31.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
13,536
Median income
$73,408
Median age
40.8
Renters
22.9%
Age distribution
18.3%
21.8%
27.3%
14.6%
18.1%
Under 1818.3%
18–3421.8%
35–5427.3%
55–6414.6%
65+18.1%
Gender
47.9%
52.1%
Male47.9%
Female52.1%
Race & ethnicity
77.2%
13.5%
White77.2%
Black6.3%
Hispanic13.5%
Asian1.7%
Other1.2%
Education (25+)
19.6%
29.4%
19.5%
31.5%
No HS diploma19.6%
HS diploma29.4%
Some college19.5%
Bachelor's+31.5%
Housing tenure
77.1%
22.9%
Owner77.1%
Renter22.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 28778 in Swannanoa, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$54,216 → $73,408
up 35.4%
Population
10,771 → 13,536
up 25.7%
Renter share
24.9% → 22.9%
-2.0 pts
Bachelor's+
25.1% → 31.5%
+6.4 pts
Median age
42.6 → 40.8
-1.8 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $54,216 in 2021 to $73,408 more recently. Census counts show ZIP 28778 in Swannanoa, NC adding about 2,765 residents over the five-year window, up 25.7% on net. The renter share has eased from 24.9% to 22.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 25.1% to 31.5% across the same window.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 28778

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 28778 covers Swannanoa, NC. The median rent here is $1,963/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,230/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,370/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($73,408/yr), ZIP 28778 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 is rent in ZIP code 28778?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 28778 (Swannanoa, NC) is $1,963. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 28778 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 28778's median rent of $1,963/mo is $2 (0%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 28778 compare to other ZIPs in North Carolina?

ZIP 28778 is one of the pricier ZIP codes in North Carolina, ranking #39 out of 227 ZIPs tracked at $1,963/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28778?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $79,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,963/mo in ZIP 28778. The local median household income is $73,408/yr, meaning the typical household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 28778?

Rent in ZIP 28778 has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 20, 2026.

Is ZIP 28778 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 28778 is considered moderate for renters. At $1,963/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($73,408/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 28778 slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

What percentage of ZIP 28778 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 22.9% of ZIP 28778 households are renters, while 77.1% are owner-occupied. ZIP 28778 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 28778 compare to the rest of Swannanoa?

ZIP 28778 is pricier than Swannanoa as a whole. At $1,963/mo, it's $133 above the Swannanoa citywide median of $1,830/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 28778 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 28778 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $1,963/mo, rent takes ~32% of ZIP 28778's median household income ($73,408/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 28778 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
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Public schools near ZIP 28778 (Swannanoa, NC)

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