Gastonia NC vs Hialeah FL — 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%
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Hialeah
45.9
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Hialeah
32.4%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Hialeah
1.3%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Gastonia +
Hialeah
0.6%
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 221,901 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 45.9 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 74.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 55.2% | 32.4% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 1.3% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 0.6% | Gastonia + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 95.2% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Hialeah
$53,079
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Hialeah
$25,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Hialeah
$65,328
Hialeah +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Hialeah
17.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Hialeah
21.2%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $53,079 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $25,766 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Hialeah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.7% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 17.5% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 21.2% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Hialeah
$444,086
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Hialeah
47.1%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $444,086 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 47.1% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Hialeah
19.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Hialeah
34.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 30.9% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.1% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.2% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 34.7% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.4% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.1% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Hialeah
76.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Hialeah
70.4 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 76.0°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 70.4 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Hialeah
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Hialeah
31.7 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 31.7 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Hialeah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hialeah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
Compare More Cities
Gastonia, NC vs New York, NYGastonia, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gastonia, NCGastonia, NC vs Houston, TXGastonia, NC vs Phoenix, AZGastonia, NC vs Philadelphia, PA