Eden Prairie MN 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)
Eden Prairie, MN
Minnesota · Population: 63,249
- Median HH Income$127,732
- Median Home Price$505,908
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
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
Eden Prairie
63,249
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eden Prairie
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Eden Prairie
40.5
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Foreign Born
Eden Prairie
16.6%
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Eden Prairie
69.5%
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Eden Prairie
7.1%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Eden Prairie
13.6%
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Eden Prairie
5.1%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Eden Prairie
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Eden Prairie, MN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 63,249 | 81,632 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 16.6% | 7.3% | Eden Prairie + |
| White | 69.5% | 55.2% | Eden Prairie + |
| Black | 7.1% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 13.6% | 1.2% | Eden Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eden Prairie
$127,732
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Eden Prairie
$70,228
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eden Prairie
$69,467
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Eden Prairie
3.3%
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Eden Prairie
6.0%
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Eden Prairie
64.7%
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Eden Prairie, MN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,732 | $60,554 | Eden Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $70,228 | $33,611 | Eden Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $59,120 | Eden Prairie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 5.2% | Eden Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 14.3% | Eden Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 27.7% | Eden Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eden Prairie
$505,908
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Eden Prairie
75.6%
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Eden Prairie, MN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $505,908 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 75.6% | 54.2% | Eden Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eden Prairie
284
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eden Prairie
1992
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Eden Prairie, MN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 398 | Eden Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1999 | Eden Prairie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eden Prairie
24.3%
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eden Prairie
7.3%
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eden Prairie
12.9%
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eden Prairie
5.6%
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eden Prairie
18.2%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eden Prairie
9.0%
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Eden Prairie, MN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 37.8% | Eden Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 13.5% | Eden Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.9% | 17.6% | Eden Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.6% | 12.5% | Eden Prairie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 15.6% | Eden Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eden Prairie
N/A
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eden Prairie
N/A
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Eden Prairie, MN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eden Prairie
8.1 µg/m³
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eden Prairie
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eden Prairie, MN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Eden Prairie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eden Prairie
23.7 min
Eden Prairie +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Eden Prairie, MN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 28.1 min | Eden Prairie + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eden Prairie leads in median household income at $127,732, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Eden Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Eden Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Eden Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eden Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.3%.
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