Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- 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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 81,632 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.2 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 7.3% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 28.4% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.2% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 11.4% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $60,554 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $33,611 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 27.7% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 37.8% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.5% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.6% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.6% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 60.5°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 43.0 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 28.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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