A system and method for managing data compaction in zones in memory devices. An example method includes receiving, by a processor of a memory device, receiving, by a processing device, a write command; identifying a zoned namespace (ZNS) zone specified with the write command; selecting a first subset of memory pages of a first management unit that is configured to store a first number of bits per memory cell, wherein the first management unit is associated with the ZNS zone; accessing a capacity counter associated with the ZNS zone that reflects an amount of data currently stored to the ZNS zone; and responsive to determining that the capacity counter satisfies a threshold criterion, causing the memory device to copy the data associated with the ZNS zone from the first subset of memory pages to a second subset of memory pages of a second management unit of the memory device.