Dayton 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Dayton +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 81,632 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.2 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 7.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 51.3% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 38.0% | 30.9% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.2% | Dayton + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $279,838 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.5% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 60.5°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 43.0 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 28.1 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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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