ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 28056

Part of Gastonia, NC

Pop. 36,200·Gaston County·15th most expensive ZIP in North Carolina

Median rent (all units)

$2,111/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.2%

Month-over-Month

+1.3%

vs US Median

+$179

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 28056 · $2,111

More expensive than 67% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,130

1 BR

$1,190

2 BR

$1,300

3 BR

$1,600

4 BR+

$2,030

Research median

$1,300/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 28056 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2023.

Past year vs. the rest of North Carolina

Rent in ZIP 28056 changed +5.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 190 North Carolina ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($90,427) is $2,261 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,030).

Rank in Gastonia

3rd cheapest of 3 ZIP codes in Gastonia.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 28054, 3 miles away, rents for 30% less ($1,483/mo), about $7,500 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 28056. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$25,332/yr

At $2,111/mo median

Location

CityGastonia

StateNC

CountyGaston County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 5.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.2% YoY, +1.3% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 28056 (Gastonia, NC) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 33.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

36,200

Median income

$90,427

Median age

41.4

Renters

21.4%

Age distribution

22.6%

18.7%

28.7%

13.9%

16.2%

Under 1822.6%

18–3418.7%

35–5428.7%

55–6413.9%

65+16.2%

Gender

50.2%

49.8%

Male50.2%

Female49.8%

Race & ethnicity

70.1%

12.8%

White70.1%

Black12.8%

Hispanic10.8%

Asian3.6%

Other2.7%

Education (25+)

25.4%

31.7%

33.4%

No HS diploma9.5%

HS diploma25.4%

Some college31.7%

Bachelor's+33.4%

Housing tenure

78.6%

21.4%

Owner78.6%

Renter21.4%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 28056 in Gastonia, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,805 → $2,111

up 17.0%

Income

$78,761 → $90,427

up 14.8%

Population

35,032 → 36,200

up 3.3%

Renter share

21.6% → 21.4%

-0.2 pts

Bachelor's+

31.8% → 33.4%

+1.6 pts

Median age

42.4 → 41.4

-1.0 yrs

Since 2023, the typical rent in ZIP 28056 in Gastonia, NC has increased from $1,805 to $2,111, a 17.0% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 28056 in Gastonia, NC now reports about $90,427, up from $78,761 in 2021. The population has grown by 3.3% since 2021, moving from about 35,032 residents to roughly 36,200. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 28056 in Gastonia, NC reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 28056

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 28056 covers Gastonia, NC. The median rent here is $2,111/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,190/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,300/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($90,427/yr), ZIP 28056 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 28056?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $84,000/year (about $40/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,111/mo in ZIP 28056. The local median household income is $90,427/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 28056?

Rent in ZIP 28056 has risen 5.2% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2023.

How does ZIP 28056 compare to other ZIPs in North Carolina?

ZIP 28056 is one of the pricier among North Carolina ZIP codes for rent, ranking #15 of 230 at $2,111/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 28056 changed +5.2%, against a typical +2.6% across the 190 North Carolina ZIP codes Zillow tracks.