Gastonia NC vs Kennewick WA — 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%
Kennewick, WA
Washington · Population: 23,594
- Median HH Income$137,926
- Median Home Price$433,399
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+57.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Kennewick
67.9%
Kennewick +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Kennewick
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 23,594 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.7 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 55.2% | 67.9% | Kennewick + |
| Black | 30.9% | 3.1% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 10.7% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Kennewick
$433,399
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $433,399 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Kennewick
37.4%
Kennewick +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Kennewick
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 37.4% | Kennewick + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.9% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.4% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.1% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.7% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Kennewick
54.7°F
Kennewick +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 54.7°F | Kennewick + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 32.4 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Kennewick has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kennewick scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.4%.
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