Carrollton TX 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)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Carrollton
132,741
Carrollton +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 81,632 | Carrollton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 7.3% | Carrollton + |
| White | 52.1% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 9.2% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 1.2% | Carrollton + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 11.4% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Carrollton +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Carrollton +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $60,554 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $33,611 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Carrollton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.2% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 14.3% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 27.7% | Carrollton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Carrollton +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 54.2% | Carrollton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
32.2%
Carrollton +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Carrollton +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Carrollton +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 37.8% | Carrollton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 13.5% | Carrollton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 17.6% | Carrollton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 15.6% | Carrollton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | 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.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carrollton
26.2 min
Carrollton +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 28.1 min | Carrollton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, 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 442 in Carrollton. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carrollton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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