Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 81,632 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.2 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 7.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 39.3% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 46.7% | 30.9% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.2% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 27.7% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $279,838 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Gastonia
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.2% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 28.1 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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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