salaryRent is lower than in 60% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.0 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $58,120 a year. That is $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of North Carolina. It is number 74 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Gastonia?
Share of households by yearly income. 21.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Gastonia
| Size | Gastonia | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,112 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,072 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,270 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,394 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,104 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Gastonia overall?
Everyday prices in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metro area are 3% below the U.S. average (index 97.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Gastonia
Life in Gastonia
What jobs pay in Gastonia
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $157,180 | 11.1% |
| Pharmacist | $150,580 | 11.6% |
| Software Developer | $135,920 | 12.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $133,140 | 13.1% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,310 | 13.4% |
| Operations Manager | $112,730 | 15.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $110,790 | 15.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $102,370 | 17.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,390 | 17.7% |
| Accountant | $92,910 | 18.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $90,620 | 19.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $82,930 | 21.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $65,140 | 26.8% |
| Police Officer | $63,190 | 27.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,840 | 29.1% |
| Electrician | $59,080 | 29.5% |
| Plumber | $58,690 | 29.7% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $58,680 | 29.7% |
| Truck Driver | $56,120 | 31.1% |
| Carpenter | $50,960 | 34.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,520 | 37.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,980 | 38.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,430 | 44.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,850 | 44.9% |
| Firefighter | $38,700 | 45.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,030 | 47.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,430 | 47.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,580 | 51.9% |
| Cashier | $29,610 | 58.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Gastonia?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $473 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $277,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $27,760 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Gastonia, NC?
Renting in Gastonia costs a median of about $1,453 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Gastonia?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $58,120 a year, or $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Gastonia cheap or expensive?
Gastonia is rated OK: rent takes 25.2% of the typical household income of $69,088. It ranks 74th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Gastonia?
The median homeowner in Gastonia pays $2,435 a year in property taxes, about 0.88% of the median home value.
Is Gastonia more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Gastonia?
The median home value in Gastonia is $277,600, about 4.0 times the typical yearly household income.
82,884 people live in Gastonia. Numbers are typical (middle) values.