Edinburg 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)
Edinburg, TX
Texas · Population: 102,561
- Median HH Income$57,789
- Median Home Price$217,077
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Edinburg
102,561
Edinburg +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Edinburg
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Edinburg
29.9
Edinburg +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Edinburg
19.5%
Edinburg +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Edinburg
39.9%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Edinburg
1.9%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Edinburg
2.5%
Edinburg +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Edinburg
85.8%
Edinburg +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Edinburg
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,561 | 81,632 | Edinburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 37.2 | Edinburg + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 7.3% | Edinburg + |
| White | 39.9% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 1.9% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.2% | Edinburg + |
| Hispanic | 85.8% | 11.4% | Edinburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Edinburg
$57,789
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Edinburg
$27,278
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Edinburg
$63,758
Edinburg +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Edinburg
6.6%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Edinburg
25.7%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Edinburg
28.9%
Edinburg +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,789 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,278 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Edinburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.7% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 27.7% | Edinburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Edinburg
$217,077
Edinburg +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Edinburg
52.5%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $217,077 | $279,838 | Edinburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edinburg
442
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edinburg
2339
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Edinburg, 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
Edinburg
42.5%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
14.4%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Edinburg
17.9%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
32.3%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
18.2%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
11.7%
Edinburg +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.5% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.6% | Edinburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edinburg
74.0°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edinburg
24.1 in
Edinburg +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.0°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.1 in | 43.0 in | Edinburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Edinburg
9.2 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Edinburg
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Edinburg, 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
Edinburg
22.3 min
Edinburg +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 28.1 min | Edinburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while edinburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $217,077. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Edinburg. 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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