Fayetteville NC 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)
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Fayetteville
38.3%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 81,632 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.7 | 37.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.6% | 7.3% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 38.3% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 42.3% | 30.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 1.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 13.0% | 11.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$56,395
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$31,467
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$59,120
Gastonia
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
8.2%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
18.1%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,395 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,467 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 27.7% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
46.5%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,710 | $279,838 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.5% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
398
Gastonia
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
1999
Gastonia
1999
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
40.4%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
18.8%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
15.5%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.6% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.2°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | 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
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, NC | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 28.1 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Fayetteville. 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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