Gaston County, North Carolina Housing Market
In Gaston County, North Carolina, the median home value is $266,000, with a median monthly rent of $1,153. This places Gaston County at #806 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #29 within North Carolina.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $1,080
- Establishments: 5,347
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 2,153
- Multi-family: 190
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 91,283 (avg $71,065)
- Outflow: 85,894 (avg $70,930)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 10 active ZIP codes in Gaston County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28032 | 405.3 | +32.50% | 2025 |
| 2 | 28080 | 275.7 | +7.70% | 2025 |
| 3 | 28034 | 269.5 | -2.40% | 2025 |
| 4 | 28016 | 271.3 | +0.75% | 2025 |
| 5 | 28164 | 258.9 | +5.14% | 2025 |
| 6 | 28120 | 278.0 | +0.56% | 2025 |
| 7 | 28054 | 266.5 | +2.43% | 2025 |
| 8 | 28012 | 296.8 | +0.20% | 2025 |
| 9 | 28052 | 273.4 | +1.04% | 2025 |
| 10 | 28056 | 250.7 | +3.56% | 2025 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
How Gaston County Compares
| Metric | Gaston County | North Carolina Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $266,000 | $235,312 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $1,153 | $976 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 66.8% | 71.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 19.2 | 19.8 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Gaston County is 13.0% above the North Carolina state average and 16.8% above the U.S. national average. The median rent of $1,153/month is 18.1% above the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 19.2, the buy-vs-rent decision in Gaston County is balanced. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your time horizon, down payment capacity, and local market conditions.
Gaston County has an owner-occupancy rate of 66.8%, compared to 71.8% in North Carolina and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more renter-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown County | Wisconsin | $266,000 | $1,031 |
| Douglas County | Nebraska | $266,100 | $1,201 |
| Avery County | North Carolina | $265,800 | $773 |
| Clermont County | Ohio | $266,200 | $1,107 |
| Berkeley County | West Virginia | $266,300 | $1,233 |
Other Counties in North Carolina
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avery County | $265,800 | $773 | 83.0% |
| Guilford County | $259,900 | $1,163 | 59.9% |
| Davie County | $253,900 | $867 | 82.2% |
| Clay County | $278,400 | $804 | 81.2% |
| Haywood County | $279,200 | $1,067 | 74.9% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-13. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).