Fullerton 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Fullerton +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 81,632 | Fullerton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.2 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 7.3% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 2.1% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 1.2% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 11.4% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
Gastonia
27.7%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $60,554 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $33,611 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 14.3% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 27.7% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 37.8% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.5% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.6% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.5% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.6% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
Gastonia
43.0 in
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 43.0 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 28.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 Fullerton. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
Compare More Cities
Fullerton, CA vs New York, NYFullerton, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fullerton, CAFullerton, CA vs Houston, TXFullerton, CA vs Phoenix, AZFullerton, CA vs Philadelphia, PA