Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Asheville
N/A
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Asheville
N/A
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 81,632 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 55.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 30.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Gastonia
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $60,554 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $33,611 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 27.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 54.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Gastonia
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Gastonia
1999
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 37.8% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.5% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.6% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.5% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.6% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 60.5°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 28.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 398 in Asheville. Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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