Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 81,632 | Broken Arrow + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.2 | Broken Arrow + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 7.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| White | 68.4% | 55.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| Black | 5.9% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $60,554 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $33,611 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 14.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 27.7% | Broken Arrow + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 54.2% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 37.8% | Broken Arrow + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.5% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.5% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.6% | Broken Arrow + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | 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.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | 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
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Broken Arrow +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 28.1 min | Broken Arrow + |
Which City is Right for You?
Broken Arrow leads in median household income at $85,220, 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 429 in Broken Arrow. Broken Arrow has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Broken Arrow scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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