Skip to main content
LiveWhere us
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Cost of living in Gaston County, NC

Part of the Charlotte Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,697/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 231,485 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,647 45%
Federal tax $523 14%
Healthcare $480 13%
Groceries $327 9%
Transport $320 9%
Energy $187 5%
State tax $158 4%
Water $55 1%

Rent in Gaston County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,586
per month
1 bedroom
$1,647
per month
2 bedroom
$1,824
per month
3 bedroom
$2,250
per month
4 bedroom
$2,852
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Gaston County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$65,472
per year
Individual earnings
$42,037
per year
Per capita
$35,557
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Gaston County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$235,000
Annual property tax
$1,872

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Gaston County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$147
per month · 14¢/kWh
Natural gas
$40
per month
Annual total
$2,244
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Gaston County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
10.9%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Gaston County

State and local tax rates for North Carolina.

State income tax
4.5%
Flat rate
State sales tax
4.8%
Combined sales tax
7.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Gaston County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
26.4 min
Drive alone
78.2%
Public transit
0.5%
Work from home
10.3%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Gaston County

What it costs to live in Gaston County each month.

Single person
$3,697
per month
  • Rent $1,647
  • Energy $187
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $327
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $523
  • State tax $158
Couple
$4,926
per month
  • Rent $1,824
  • Energy $224
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $542
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $741
  • State tax $246
Family
$7,484
per month
  • Rent $2,250
  • Energy $280
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $822
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $741
  • State tax $246

Frequently asked questions about Gaston County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Gaston County?

In Gaston County, NC, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,647 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,824 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,250 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Gaston County?

In Gaston County, NC, the average household income is $65,472 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $42,037 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Gaston County?

The estimated cost of living in Gaston County, NC is approximately $3,697 per month for a single person, $4,926 for a couple, $7,484 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Gaston County?

The combined sales tax rate in Gaston County, NC is 7.00%, which includes the North Carolina state rate of 4.75% plus an average local rate of 2.25%.

Is Gaston County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Gaston County, NC would need approximately $3,697 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $65,472 per year ($5,456 per month). Gaston County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Gaston County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Gaston County, NC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 10.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Gaston County?

The average home value in Gaston County, NC is $235,000, with average annual property taxes of $1,872, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Gaston County compare to other areas?

You can compare Gaston County, NC with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Gaston County is in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area.

Other counties in North Carolina

Browse the full list of counties in North Carolina, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in North Carolina

Compare Gaston County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources