Gastonia NC vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Independence
5.3%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Independence
1.4%
Independence +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.4 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 5.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 30.9% | 10.8% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.4% | Independence + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $59,480 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $31,683 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.0% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 15.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 20.9% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.9% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.8% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.4% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 43.7 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Independence, MO | 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
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. 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, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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