Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 81,632 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.2 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 7.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 36.7% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 46.8% | 30.9% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.2% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 11.4% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $279,838 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 60.5°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 43.0 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 28.1 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland 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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