Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 81,632 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 37.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 7.3% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 55.2% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.2% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 11.4% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $60,554 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $33,611 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.2% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 27.7% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 54.2% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Gastonia
13.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 37.8% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.6% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.6% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 28.1 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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