Abilene TX vs Gastonia NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina · Population: 81,632
- Median HH Income$60,554
- Median Home Price$279,838
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+27.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 81,632 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.2 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.3% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 55.2% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.2% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 11.4% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $60,554 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.2% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $279,838 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 54.2% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 37.8% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.5% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.6% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 43.0 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 28.1 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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