Albany GA 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)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
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
Albany
67,939
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
White
Albany
18.9%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Gastonia
1.2%
Gastonia +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 81,632 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 7.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 18.9% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 76.3% | 30.9% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.2% | Gastonia + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $279,838 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Albany, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Gastonia
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.2% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 28.1 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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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