How much does it cost to rent in Gastonia, NC?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Gastonia, NC is $1,524. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Gastonia cheaper than other North Carolina cities?

Gastonia is among the more affordable cities in North Carolina, ranking #93 out of 126 cities at $1,524/mo.

When was Gastonia rent data last updated?

Gastonia rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · NC

Gastonia

Name: Average Rent Prices in Gastonia, NC
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 82,884·93rd most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Gastonia, NC

Median rent (all units)

$1,524/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.5%

Month-over-Month

+1.5%

vs US Median

-$441

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Gastonia · $1,524

More affordable than 74% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

71/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 10% below what Gastonia's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,524/mo

Expected by trend

$1,700/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Gastonia's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,257

1 BR

$1,307

2 BR

$1,447

3 BR

$1,787

4 BR+

$2,263

Research median

$1,447/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

$18,288/yr

At $1,524/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (2.5% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.5% YoY, +1.5% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Gastonia, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 26.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

82,884

Median income

$64,059

Median age

36.5

Renters

45.8%

Age distribution

24.6%

23.3%

25.6%

14.9%

Under 1824.6%

18–3423.3%

35–5425.6%

55–6411.5%

65+14.9%

Gender

48.1%

51.9%

Male48.1%

Female51.9%

Race & ethnicity

54.1%

29.7%

12.8%

White54.1%

Black29.7%

Hispanic12.8%

Asian1.3%

Other2.1%

Education (25+)

28.9%

33.3%

26.6%

No HS diploma11.3%

HS diploma28.9%

Some college33.3%

Bachelor's+26.6%

Housing tenure

54.2%

45.8%

Owner54.2%

Renter45.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Gastonia, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,109 → $1,524

up 37.4%

Income

$52,990 → $64,059

up 20.9%

Population

79,483 → 82,884

up 4.3%

Renter share

46% → 45.8%

-0.2 pts

Bachelor's+

24.9% → 26.6%

+1.7 pts

Median age

38 → 36.5

-1.5 yrs

Rent in Gastonia, NC has increased 37.4% since 2021, going from about $1,109 per month to roughly $1,524 today. Census figures show median household income at $64,059 today, compared with $52,990 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 16.5 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 79,483 to 82,884 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.3% change. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Gastonia

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View Gastonia rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Gastonia on your salary?

At $1,524/mo, how Gastonia rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $88,811/yr · Rent = 20.6% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $63,055/yr · Rent = 29% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $72,634/yr · Rent = 25.2% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $129,823/yr · Rent = 14.1% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $165,882/yr · Rent = 11% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $59,041/yr · Rent = 31% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $53,307/yr · Rent = 34.3% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $65,706/yr · Rent = 27.8% income

affordable

By apartment size

Gastonia rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Gastonia. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Gastonia

About renting in Gastonia, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Gastonia is $1,524/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,257/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,447/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,307/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,787/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($64,059/yr), Gastonia ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Gastonia an affordable city for renters?

Gastonia is considered affordable for renters. At $1,524/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($64,059/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Gastonia falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Gastonia?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $61,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,524/mo in Gastonia. The local median household income is $64,059/yr, meaning the typical Gastonia household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Gastonia?

Rent in Gastonia has increased 2.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Gastonia neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Gastonia are 28054 ($1,420/mo), 28052 ($1,457/mo), and 28056 ($2,130/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Gastonia is $1,524/mo.

How does Gastonia rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Gastonia is one of the more affordable cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #93 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,524/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Gastonia?

Bessemer City is nearby and more affordable at $1,375/mo, which is $149 less than Gastonia.

What percentage of Gastonia residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 45.8% of Gastonia households are renters, while 54.2% are owner-occupied. Gastonia leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Gastonia rent compare to the national average?

Gastonia's median rent of $1,524/mo is $441 (22%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #93 out of 126 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

29%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,524/mo, rent takes ~29% of Gastonia's median household income ($64,059/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Gastonia 29%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.5%

Run the Gastonia affordability calculator →

Nearby cities