Gastonia NC vs Kent 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Kent
84,389
Kent +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Kent
1.9%
Kent +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 84,389 | Kent + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 55.2% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 30.9% | 2.3% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.9% | Kent + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $35,662 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 27.0% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $657,911 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.7% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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