Alexandria VA 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)
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
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
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 81,632 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 7.3% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 21.1% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.2% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 11.4% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $60,554 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $33,611 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.2% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 14.3% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 27.7% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 398 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1999 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 37.8% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.5% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 17.6% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.5% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.6% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Alexandria +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Alexandria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 28.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Alexandria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
Compare More Cities
Alexandria, VA vs New York, NYAlexandria, VA vs Los Angeles, CAAlexandria, VA vs Chicago, ILAlexandria, VA vs Houston, TXAlexandria, VA vs Phoenix, AZAlexandria, VA vs Philadelphia, PA