ZIP Code · FL

ZIP 33981

Part of Port Charlotte, FL

Pop. 15,622·Charlotte County·441st most expensive ZIP in Florida

Median rent (all units)

$1,888/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.5%

Month-over-Month

Stable

vs US Median

-$44

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 33981 · $1,888

More expensive than 55% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,310

1 BR

$1,320

2 BR

$1,660

3 BR

$2,300

4 BR+

$2,630

Research median

$1,660/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 33981 is 0% below its high of $1,888 in August 2026, at $1,888 as of September 2026.

Past year vs. the rest of Florida

Rent in ZIP 33981 changed +7.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 623 Florida ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.8%.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($84,098) is $2,102 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,660); a 3-bedroom is $2,300.

Rank in Port Charlotte

6th cheapest of 6 ZIP codes in Port Charlotte.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 34224, 5 miles away, rents for 15% less ($1,607/mo), about $3,400 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 33981. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$22,656/yr

At $1,888/mo median

Location

CityPort Charlotte

StateFL

CountyCharlotte County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 7.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+7.5% YoY, +0.0% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 33981 (Port Charlotte, FL) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 27.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

15,622

Median income

$84,098

Median age

61.8

Renters

9.3%

Age distribution

12.5%

15.3%

19.9%

42.2%

Under 1810.1%

18–3412.5%

35–5415.3%

55–6419.9%

65+42.2%

Gender

50.4%

49.6%

Male50.4%

Female49.6%

Race & ethnicity

90%

White90%

Black1.2%

Hispanic4.3%

Asian2.4%

Other2.1%

Education (25+)

33.2%

32.3%

27.8%

No HS diploma6.7%

HS diploma33.2%

Some college32.3%

Bachelor's+27.8%

Housing tenure

90.7%

Owner90.7%

Renter9.3%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 33981 in Port Charlotte, FL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,781 → $1,888

up 6.0%

Income

$61,544 → $84,098

up 36.6%

Population

12,683 → 15,622

up 23.2%

Renter share

10.4% → 9.3%

-1.1 pts

Bachelor's+

25.5% → 27.8%

+2.3 pts

Median age

61.3 → 61.8

+0.5 yrs

The median rent in ZIP 33981 in Port Charlotte, FL stood at $1,781 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,888, reflecting a 6.0% increase over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $61,544 in 2021 to $84,098 more recently. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 23.2% since 2021, moving from about 12,683 residents to roughly 15,622. College-educated residents now make up 27.8% of adults here, versus 25.5% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the ZIP 33981 in Port Charlotte, FL market of 2023.

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About renting in ZIP 33981

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 33981 covers Port Charlotte, FL. The median rent here is $1,888/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,320/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,660/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($84,098/yr), ZIP 33981 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 33981?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $76,000/year (about $37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,888/mo in ZIP 33981. The local median household income is $84,098/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 33981?

Rent in ZIP 33981 has risen 7.5% over the past year as of September 2026. It sits 0% below its high of $1,888 in August 2026.

How does ZIP 33981 compare to other ZIPs in Florida?

ZIP 33981 is one of the more affordable among Florida ZIP codes for rent, ranking #441 of 656 at $1,888/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 33981 changed +7.5%, against a typical +1.8% across the 623 Florida ZIP codes Zillow tracks.