Allen 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)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
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
Allen
107,684
Allen +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Allen +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 81,632 | Allen + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 7.3% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 55.2% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 1.2% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 11.4% | Allen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $60,554 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $33,611 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Allen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.2% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 14.3% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 27.7% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 54.2% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Allen, 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
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 37.8% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.5% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 17.6% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.5% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.6% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 43.0 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Allen, 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
Allen
30.3 min
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 28.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Allen. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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