Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 81,632 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.2 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 7.3% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 60.0% | 30.9% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.2% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $33,611 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $59,120 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 27.7% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $279,838 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1999 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.5% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 60.5°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 43.0 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 28.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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