Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 81,632 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.2 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 7.3% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 6.7% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 1.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 11.4% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $60,554 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Gastonia
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 37.8% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.5% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.6% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 43.0 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 28.1 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 Fresno. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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