Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 81,632 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.2 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 7.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 49.4% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 38.7% | 30.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $33,611 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 27.7% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $279,838 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 60.5°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 28.1 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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