Gastonia NC vs Huntington WV — 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%
Huntington, WV
West Virginia · Population: 46,189
- Median HH Income$43,146
- Median Home Price$138,553
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+34.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Huntington
46,189
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Huntington
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Huntington
1.8%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Huntington
6.5%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Huntington
1.3%
Huntington +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Huntington
2.0%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Huntington
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 46,189 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.9 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 1.8% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 85.0% | Huntington + |
| Black | 30.9% | 6.5% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.3% | Huntington + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 2.0% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Huntington
$43,146
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Huntington
$30,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Huntington
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Huntington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Huntington
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Huntington
34.4%
Huntington +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $43,146 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $30,024 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $50,163 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.6% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 27.4% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 34.4% | Huntington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Huntington
52.5%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $138,553 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 52.5% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Huntington
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Huntington
1999
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Huntington, WV | 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 +
Huntington
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Huntington
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Huntington
24.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Huntington
20.6%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 46.4% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.7% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 24.0% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.7% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.7% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 20.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Huntington
56.1°F
Huntington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Huntington
43.1 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 56.1°F | Huntington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 43.1 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Huntington
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 20.2 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Huntington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Gastonia 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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