Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Escondido +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 81,632 | Escondido + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 7.3% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 0.6% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 1.2% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 11.4% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Escondido +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $60,554 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 37.8% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.5% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 15.6% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 43.0 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 28.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Escondido leads in median household income at $64,484, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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