Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 81,632 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.2 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 7.3% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 7.4% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 1.2% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 11.4% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $60,554 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $33,611 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 27.7% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 37.8% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.5% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.5% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 15.6% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 60.5°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 43.0 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 28.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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