Gastonia NC vs Hampton VA — 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%
Hampton, VA
Virginia · Population: 137,334
- Median HH Income$67,758
- Median Home Price$278,048
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Hampton
137,334
Hampton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Hampton
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Hampton
36.5
Hampton +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Hampton
5.2%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Hampton
37.5%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Hampton
49.0%
Hampton +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Hampton
2.2%
Hampton +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Hampton
6.6%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 137,334 | Hampton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.5 | Hampton + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 37.5% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 49.0% | Hampton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.2% | Hampton + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 6.6% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Hampton
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Hampton
27.5%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $67,758 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $36,787 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.3% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 13.0% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 27.5% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Hampton
$278,048
Hampton +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $278,048 | Hampton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 55.6% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Hampton
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Hampton
15.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Hampton
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 40.1% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.0% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.4% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.5% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.1% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.3% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Hampton
61.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 61.9°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Hampton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Hampton
24.0 min
Hampton +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 24.0 min | Hampton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while hampton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $278,048. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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