Allentown PA 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)
Allentown, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 125,320
- Median HH Income$53,403
- Median Home Price$312,103
- Unemployment8.8%
- Bachelor's+19.4%
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
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 81,632 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.2 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 7.3% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 13.0% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.2% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 11.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $59,120 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1999 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Gastonia
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Allentown +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 60.5°F | Allentown + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | 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
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 28.1 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Allentown 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).
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