El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
El Paso +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 81,632 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.2 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 7.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 3.6% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.2% | El Paso + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 11.4% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $279,838 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 54.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 37.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.6% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.6% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 43.0 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 28.1 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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