Gastonia NC vs Greensboro NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina · Population: 81,632
- Median HH Income$60,554
- Median Home Price$279,838
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+27.7%
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina · Population: 298,564
- Median HH Income$58,884
- Median Home Price$265,214
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+39.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Greensboro
40.4%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Greensboro
5.0%
Greensboro +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Greensboro
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 298,564 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.1 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 12.7% | Greensboro + |
| White | 55.2% | 40.4% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 42.2% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.0% | Greensboro + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 10.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Greensboro
$58,884
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Greensboro
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Greensboro
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $58,884 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $35,858 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.1% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 18.4% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 39.9% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Greensboro
$265,214
Greensboro +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Greensboro
50.3%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $265,214 | Greensboro + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 50.3% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Greensboro
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Greensboro
1999
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Greensboro, 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
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Greensboro
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Greensboro
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Greensboro
11.5%
Greensboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 39.1% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.2% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.0% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.5% | Greensboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.6% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.5% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Greensboro
59.1°F
Greensboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Greensboro
42.2 in
Greensboro +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 59.1°F | Greensboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 42.2 in | Greensboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Greensboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Greensboro, 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
Gastonia
28.1 min
Greensboro
23.4 min
Greensboro +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 23.4 min | Greensboro + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while greensboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,214. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Greensboro 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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