Gastonia NC vs Joliet IL — 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 55.2% | 52.7% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 17.0% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.1% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.8% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 25.0% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 41.9% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.7% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.9% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.1% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 31.7 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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