Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 81,632 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 7.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 83.6% | 55.2% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.2% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $60,554 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $33,611 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.2% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 14.3% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 27.7% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 54.2% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Boise, ID | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 398 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1999 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Gastonia
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 60.5°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 43.0 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 28.1 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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