Akron OH 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)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
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
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Gastonia
37.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 81,632 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 7.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 56.1% | 55.2% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.2% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $279,838 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Akron +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Akron + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Gastonia
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.5% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.2% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 60.5°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 43.0 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 28.1 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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