Gastonia NC vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 154,776 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 55.2% | 44.0% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 20.4% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Kansas City
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $59,183 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $28,059 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 17.9% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 20.2% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Kansas City
17.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Kansas City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 41.2% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.6% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 18.4% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.3% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.3% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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