Baton Rouge LA 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)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
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
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 81,632 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.2 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 51.0% | 30.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 27.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $279,838 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 28.1 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. 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, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
Compare More Cities
Baton Rouge, LA vs New York, NYBaton Rouge, LA vs Los Angeles, CABaton Rouge, LA vs Chicago, ILBaton Rouge, LA vs Houston, TXBaton Rouge, LA vs Phoenix, AZBaton Rouge, LA vs Philadelphia, PA