Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 81,632 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.2 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 7.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 25.6% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 67.1% | 30.9% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.2% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 27.7% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $279,838 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Gastonia
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.5% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.2% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 28.1 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. 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%.
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