Gastonia NC vs Hillsboro OR — 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%
Hillsboro, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$522,671
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Hillsboro
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Hillsboro
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Hillsboro
N/A
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Hillsboro
N/A
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Hillsboro
N/A
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Hillsboro
N/A
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Hillsboro
N/A
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Hillsboro
N/A
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Hillsboro
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hillsboro, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 55.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 30.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Hillsboro
N/A
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Hillsboro
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Hillsboro
$63,691
Hillsboro +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Hillsboro
N/A
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Hillsboro
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Hillsboro
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hillsboro, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,691 | Hillsboro + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Hillsboro
$522,671
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Hillsboro
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hillsboro, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $522,671 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Hillsboro
355
Hillsboro +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Hillsboro
3001
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hillsboro, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Hillsboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Hillsboro
32.9%
Hillsboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Hillsboro
9.1%
Hillsboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Hillsboro
17.4%
Hillsboro +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Hillsboro
9.5%
Hillsboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Hillsboro
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Hillsboro
10.4%
Hillsboro +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hillsboro, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 32.9% | Hillsboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.1% | Hillsboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.4% | Hillsboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.5% | Hillsboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.4% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.4% | Hillsboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Hillsboro
51.8°F
Hillsboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Hillsboro
39.9 in
Hillsboro +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hillsboro, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 51.8°F | Hillsboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 39.9 in | Hillsboro + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Hillsboro
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Hillsboro
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hillsboro, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Hillsboro
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hillsboro, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Hillsboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hillsboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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