Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 81,632 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.2 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 7.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 11.7% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 76.8% | 30.9% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.2% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $279,838 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Gastonia
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.5% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.2% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 60.5°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 43.0 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 28.1 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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