Charleston WV 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)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Charleston
47,918
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 81,632 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 37.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 7.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 76.6% | 55.2% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.2% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $60,554 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $33,611 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 27.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $279,838 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 54.2% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Gastonia
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Gastonia
1999
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.5% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 60.5°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 28.1 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. 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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