Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 81,632 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.2 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 7.3% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 46.9% | 30.9% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.2% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $60,554 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $33,611 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 27.7% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 37.8% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.5% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.6% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.5% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.6% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 28.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Atlanta 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, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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