Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 81,632 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.2 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 7.3% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 17.1% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 11.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $60,554 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,120 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 398 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1999 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 37.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 15.6% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | 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.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 28.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. 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, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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