Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Gastonia
1.2%
Gastonia +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 81,632 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 7.3% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 55.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.2% | Gastonia + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 11.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $60,554 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $33,611 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 5.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 14.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 54.2% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 37.8% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.6% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.6% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 43.0 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Chula Vista +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 28.1 min | Chula Vista + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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