3-digit ZIP regional index
Home appreciation in ZIP codes 281xxSalisbury, NC area
FHFA HPI® data shows the regional home price index for ZIP codes beginning with 281 changed +0.8% over the year to Q2 2026, compared with +2.4% for North Carolina and +3.0% for the United States.
The region covers ZIP codes 28101–28174. Most of its 2010 population lived in Union County (29%), Rowan County (16%), Iredell County (13%). Communities in the region include Mooresville, Monroe, Matthews, Shelby, Stallings. This is a regional index, not a ZIP5, street, or individual-home estimate.
- 1-year change
- +0.8%
- 5-year change
- +52.8%
- Since Q1 1995
- +286%
- National rank (1 year)
- 778th
Year to Q2 2026
vs U.S. +41.3%
vs U.S. +292%
of 882 ZIP3 regions
ZIP3 281 vs North Carolina and the U.S.
FHFA HPI® all-transactions index, rebased so Q1 1995 = 100, through Q2 2026
- ZIP3 281: 386.0
- North Carolina: 376.3
- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro: 412.4
- United States: 391.6
Want a different starting year? Rebase this chart or compare with another ZIP3.
Appreciation by time window
| Window | ZIP3 281 | NC | U.S. | Gap vs NC | Gap vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +0.8% | +2.4% | +3.0% | −1.6 pts | −2.3 pts |
| 3 years | +12.7% | +12.3% | +12.9% | +0.4 pts | −0.1 pts |
| 5 years | +52.8% | +51.4% | +41.3% | +1.4 pts | +11.5 pts |
| 10 years | +120% | +113% | +93.3% | +6.3 pts | +26.2 pts |
| Since Q1 1995 | +286% | +276% | +292% | +9.6 pts | −5.6 pts |
If you bought in ZIP3 281 in…
Applying the regional index change from the same quarter of each year to Q2 2026 to an example $300,000 purchase price. Individual homes can differ widely from the regional average.
| Bought in | Index change | $300,000 then, at the regional rate |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 1995 | +277% | $1,130,934 |
| Q2 2000 | +198% | $892,576 |
| Q2 2005 | +152% | $755,925 |
| Q2 2010 | +136% | $707,300 |
| Q2 2015 | +130% | $689,073 |
| Q2 2020 | +74.1% | $522,378 |
| Q2 2021 | +52.8% | $458,373 |
| Q2 2023 | +12.7% | $338,207 |
| Q2 2025 | +0.8% | $302,263 |
How ZIP3 281 ranks
Over the past year ZIP3 281 ranks 778th of 882 3-digit ZIP regions nationally and 17th of 20 in North Carolina. Its one-year change is −2.3 pts versus the nation and −1.6 pts versus North Carolina. Rank 1 is the strongest appreciation.
| Window | National rank | Rank in North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 778th of 882 | 17th of 20 |
| 3 years | 597th of 882 | 14th of 20 |
| 5 years | 181st of 882 | 10th of 20 |
| 10 years | 99th of 882 | 6th of 20 |
| Since Q1 1995 | 352nd of 879 | 8th of 20 |
Boom, bust, and recovery in ZIP3 281
ZIP3 281's index peaked in Q2 2008, fell 14.2% to its low in Q2 2012, and regained its peak in Q3 2016, about 8.2 years after the top. Today it sits +115% versus that 2000s peak. How every state and ZIP region fared
| Area | 2000s peak | Low point | Peak to low | Back to peak | Today vs peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP3 281 | Q2 2008 | Q2 2012 | -14.2% | Q3 2016 (8.2 yrs) | +115% |
| NC | Q1 2008 | Q2 2012 | -13.1% | Q4 2016 (8.8 yrs) | +109% |
| Metro | Q2 2008 | Q2 2012 | -15.7% | Q1 2016 (7.8 yrs) | +130% |
| U.S. | Q1 2007 | Q2 2012 | -19.0% | Q4 2016 (9.8 yrs) | +89.3% |
Appreciation after inflation
Adjusting for consumer price inflation, ZIP3 281's index has changed +74.3% in real terms since Q1 1995. Home prices vs inflation
| Window | Inflation (CPI-U) | ZIP3 281 after inflation | NC after inflation | Metro after inflation | U.S. after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +3.9% | -3.0% | -1.4% | -2.3% | -0.8% |
| 3 years | +9.8% | +2.7% | +2.3% | +1.3% | +2.8% |
| 5 years | +24.0% | +23.2% | +22.1% | +20.9% | +13.9% |
| 10 years | +39.1% | +57.8% | +53.4% | +61.2% | +39.0% |
| Since Q1 1995 | +121% | +74.3% | +70.0% | +86.3% | +76.8% |
Estimate appreciation for a home in ZIP3 281
Regional estimate
$658,580
- Estimated gain
- $358,580
- Index change
- +120%
- Start index
- 175.81
- End index
- 385.95
ZIP3 281 (Salisbury, NC area), Q2 2016 to Q2 2026. Index type: Native 3-Digit ZIP index.
Nearby 3-digit ZIP regions
| 3-digit ZIP region | State | 1 year | 5 years | Since Q1 1995 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 282 · Charlotte, NC area | NC | +1.8% | +48.8% | +378% |
| 280 · Concord, NC area | NC | +1.7% | +51.0% | +278% |
| 297 · Rock Hill, SC area | SC | +4.1% | +51.4% | +285% |
| 286 · Hickory, NC area | NC | +2.5% | +55.7% | +263% |
| 271 · Winston-Salem, NC area | NC | +2.9% | +55.7% | +233% |
| 270 · Clemmons, NC area | NC | +4.4% | +54.6% | +218% |
Recent quarterly index values
| Period | Index |
|---|---|
| Q2 2026 | 385.95 |
| Q1 2026 | 388.26 |
| Q4 2025 | 386.76 |
| Q3 2025 | 384.57 |
| Q2 2025 | 383.06 |
| Q1 2025 | 373.36 |
| Q4 2024 | 373.13 |
| Q3 2024 | 369.90 |
| Q2 2024 | 366.99 |
| Q1 2024 | 360.62 |
| Q4 2023 | 358.45 |
| Q3 2023 | 352.19 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much have home prices risen in ZIP codes starting with 281?
- Based on FHFA HPI® data for 3-digit ZIP region 281, the regional index changed +0.8% over the year to Q2 2026, +52.8% over five years, +120% over ten years, and +286% since Q1 1995.
- Is ZIP3 281 appreciating faster than North Carolina and the U.S.?
- Over the past year the region's index +0.8% compares with +2.4% for North Carolina and +3.0% for the U.S., a gap of −2.3 pts versus the nation. Over five years the gap versus the nation is +11.5 pts.
- Which ZIP codes are in 3-digit ZIP region 281?
- All ZIP codes that begin with 281. Census 2010 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas in this region run from 28101 to 28174 (42 areas). FHFA publishes one index for the whole 3-digit region, not for each 5-digit ZIP code.
- Can I use this to value my home?
- No. The FHFA HPI® is a broad regional index of average price movement. It is not an appraisal, tax assessment, or automated valuation of any individual property. Use it as general context alongside local sales and a professional opinion.