Living in Gastonia, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Gastonia · Census data 2020–2024
Gastonia has 82,884 residents with a median age of 36.5. The median household income is $64,059 (12% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $277,600, the median rent is $1,204/month.
Gastonia at a glance
- Population
- 82,884
- Median age
- 36.5State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $64,059State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $277,600State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,204/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 54.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26.6%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Gastonia a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 4% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 12% lower than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 5.7%; a poverty rate of 16.3%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Gastonia
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Gastonia the median home value is $277,600, 17% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,204 per month, which is 31.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,649 a month in housing costs.
Gastonia median household income
The median household income in Gastonia is $64,059 and the income per person is $35,174. 16.3% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Gastonia: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 35,337
- Owner-occupied
- 54.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 45.8%
- Vacant
- 8.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1978
- Average household size
- 2.51
Gastonia demographics
- Population
- 82,884
- Median age
- 36.5
- Under 18
- 24.6%
- 65 and older
- 14.9%
- Households
- 32,378
- Foreign-born
- 8.5%
- Veterans
- 6.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Gastonia ›
Education in Gastonia
26.6% of adults 25 and older in Gastonia have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 8.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Gastonia
- Unemployment rate
- 5.7%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 12%
- Drive alone
- 77.1%
- Public transit
- 0.7%
- Walk to work
- 0.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.8%
Gastonia vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastonia | 82,884 | $64,059 | $277,600 | $1,204 |
| Springdale | 1,075 | $55,096 | $201,900 | $1,233 |
| Ranlo | 4,617 | $78,033 | $200,200 | $1,811 |
| Dallas | 6,104 | $58,403 | $254,000 | $872 |
| Lowell | 3,768 | $52,500 | $200,600 | $1,188 |
| McAdenville | 1,010 | $112,083 | $377,000 | $1,125 |
| Bessemer City | 5,580 | $60,300 | $206,100 | $1,053 |
| Cramerton | 5,450 | $82,160 | $343,400 | $1,364 |
| Belmont | 15,546 | $94,883 | $395,000 | $1,365 |
More for people moving to Gastonia
Gastonia ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Gastonia: FAQ
What is the median household income in Gastonia, NC?
The median household income in Gastonia is $64,059, 12% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Gastonia?
The median home value in Gastonia is $277,600, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Gastonia?
The median gross rent in Gastonia is $1,204 per month, about 31.7% of household income.
Is Gastonia, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 4% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 12% lower than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 5.7%; a poverty rate of 16.3%.
What is the median age in Gastonia?
The median age in Gastonia is 36.5 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Gastonia?
The average commute to work in Gastonia is 27 minutes; 12% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Gastonia?
The unemployment rate in Gastonia is 5.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Gastonia?
26.6% of adults in Gastonia have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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