Flint MI 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
White
Flint
34.4%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Gastonia
1.2%
Gastonia +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 81,632 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.2 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 7.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 34.4% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 56.6% | 30.9% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 1.2% | Gastonia + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $279,838 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 54.2% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Flint, MI | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Gastonia
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.5% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 60.5°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 43.0 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 28.1 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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