Bloomington MN 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)
Bloomington, MN
Minnesota · Population: 71,261
- Median HH Income$103,382
- Median Home Price$366,438
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+36.1%
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
Bloomington
71,261
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bloomington
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Bloomington
37.3
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Foreign Born
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Bloomington
8.6%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Bloomington
5.1%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Bloomington
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,261 | 81,632 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 37.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 7.3% | Bloomington + |
| White | 72.7% | 55.2% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 8.6% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 1.2% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bloomington
36.1%
Bloomington +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,382 | $60,554 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,640 | $33,611 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $59,120 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.2% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 14.3% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.1% | 27.7% | Bloomington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bloomington
$366,438
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $366,438 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 85.0% | 54.2% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 398 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1999 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
17.2%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 37.8% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.5% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 17.6% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.5% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.6% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bloomington
N/A
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | 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.)
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bloomington
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bloomington
27.0 min
Bloomington +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Bloomington, MN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 28.1 min | Bloomington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Bloomington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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