Gastonia NC vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 119,970 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 55.2% | 26.4% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.3% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $45,300 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $27,319 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 10.6% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 25.5% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 18.3% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 25.8% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 40.4% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.8% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.8% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 20.3% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 45.9 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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