Denton TX 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)
Denton, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$354,100
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Denton
1,299,553
Denton +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denton
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Denton
33.4
Denton +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Denton
23.4%
Denton +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Denton
41.9%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Denton
23.7%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Denton
3.7%
Denton +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Denton
41.9%
Denton +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Denton
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 81,632 | Denton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.2 | Denton + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 7.3% | Denton + |
| White | 41.9% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 23.7% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 1.2% | Denton + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 11.4% | Denton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denton
$67,760
Denton +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Denton
$44,138
Denton +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denton
$63,758
Denton +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Denton
4.9%
Denton +
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Denton
17.2%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denton
37.4%
Denton +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $60,554 | Denton + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $33,611 | Denton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Denton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.2% | Denton + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 27.7% | Denton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denton
$354,100
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Denton
42.4%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $354,100 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
442
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
2339
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
35.5%
Denton +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
9.5%
Denton +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denton
19.4%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denton
14.9%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denton
18.3%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denton
11.2%
Denton +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 37.8% | Denton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.5% | Denton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.6% | Denton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
64.8°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
38.1 in
Denton +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Denton, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 43.0 in | Denton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denton
9.2 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denton
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denton
28.3 min
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 28.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denton leads in median household income at $67,760, 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 442 in Denton. Denton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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