Concord CA 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)
Concord, CA
California · Population: 124,260
- Median HH Income$109,195
- Median Home Price$739,280
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Concord
124,260
Concord +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Concord
38.6
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Foreign Born
Concord
25.6%
Concord +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Concord
48.1%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Concord
3.9%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Concord
13.5%
Concord +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Concord
32.3%
Concord +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Concord, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,260 | 81,632 | Concord + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 37.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 25.6% | 7.3% | Concord + |
| White | 48.1% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 3.9% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 13.5% | 1.2% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 32.3% | 11.4% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$109,195
Concord +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Concord
$49,514
Concord +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$77,230
Concord +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.9%
Concord +
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.9%
Concord +
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
37.8%
Concord +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Concord, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,195 | $60,554 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,514 | $33,611 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Concord + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.2% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.9% | 14.3% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 27.7% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$739,280
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Concord
61.4%
Concord +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Concord, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $739,280 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.4% | 54.2% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
503
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
2388
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Concord, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
29.1%
Concord +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.8%
Concord +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
9.3%
Concord +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
16.2%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.4%
Concord +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Concord, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 37.8% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 13.5% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.6% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.5% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.6% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
61.7°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
18.1 in
Concord +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Concord, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.1 in | 43.0 in | Concord + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
7.9 µg/m³
Concord +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Concord, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
34.9 min
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
| Metric | Concord, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.9 min | 28.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $109,195, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Concord. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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