Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 81,632 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 7.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 49.9% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 30.9% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.2% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $33,611 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 27.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $279,838 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Gastonia
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Gastonia
1999
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 37.8% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.6% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 28.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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