Gastonia NC vs Irving TX — 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%
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Irving
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Irving
36.7%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Irving
12.9%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 255,036 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 32.8 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 41.9% | Irving + |
| White | 55.2% | 36.7% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 12.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 22.6% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 43.0% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Irving
$63,758
Irving +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $79,641 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $39,462 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Irving + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.3% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 11.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 41.6% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Irving
$344,888
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Irving
38.3%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $344,888 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 38.3% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Irving
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Irving
2339
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Irving
20.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Irving
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 31.6% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.5% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.2% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 20.6% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.0% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.2% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Irving
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Irving
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Irving
26.0 min
Irving +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 26.0 min | Irving + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Irving. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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