Aurora CO 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)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 81,632 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.2 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 7.3% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 15.8% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 1.2% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 11.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $60,554 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $33,611 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 14.3% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 27.7% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 54.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Gastonia
17.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 37.8% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.5% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.6% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | 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.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 28.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, 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 512 in Aurora. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
Compare More Cities
Aurora, CO vs New York, NYAurora, CO vs Los Angeles, CAAurora, CO vs Chicago, ILAurora, CO vs Houston, TXAurora, CO vs Phoenix, AZAurora, CO vs Philadelphia, PA