Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Evansville +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Gastonia
1.2%
Gastonia +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 81,632 | Evansville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 7.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 77.1% | 55.2% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 1.2% | Gastonia + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $279,838 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 398 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1999 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.5% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Evansville +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | 60.5°F | Evansville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 28.1 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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