Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 81,632 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.2 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 7.3% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 34.1% | 30.9% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.2% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 11.4% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Gastonia
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $60,554 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $33,611 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.2% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 14.3% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 27.7% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Gastonia
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Gastonia
1999
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | 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
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 37.8% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 13.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.6% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.5% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.6% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 60.5°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 43.0 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 28.1 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, 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 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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