Garland TX 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Gastonia
7.3%
White
Garland
37.5%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Gastonia
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 81,632 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.2 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 7.3% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 15.3% | 30.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 1.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 11.4% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Gastonia
$60,554
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Gastonia
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Gastonia
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $60,554 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.2% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 14.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $279,838 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 54.2% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 37.8% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.5% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.6% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 12.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.6% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 28.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, 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 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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