Gastonia NC vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 55.2% | 28.7% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 21.4% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.8% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $664,939 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 28.8% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.3% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Jersey City, NJ | 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
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 40.3 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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