Gastonia NC vs Killeen TX — 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%
Killeen, TX
Texas · Population: 45,598
- Median HH Income$172,654
- Median Home Price$220,846
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Killeen
45,598
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Killeen
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Killeen
44.1
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Killeen
11.0%
Killeen +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Killeen
81.5%
Killeen +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Killeen
2.9%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Killeen
6.1%
Killeen +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Killeen
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Killeen
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 45,598 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 44.1 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 11.0% | Killeen + |
| White | 55.2% | 81.5% | Killeen + |
| Black | 30.9% | 2.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 6.1% | Killeen + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 10.7% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Killeen
$172,654
Killeen +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Killeen
$76,859
Killeen +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Killeen
$63,758
Killeen +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Killeen
3.0%
Killeen +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Killeen
3.2%
Killeen +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Killeen
60.1%
Killeen +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $172,654 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $76,859 | Killeen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Killeen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.0% | Killeen + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 3.2% | Killeen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 60.1% | Killeen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Killeen
$220,846
Killeen +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Killeen
81.9%
Killeen +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $220,846 | Killeen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 81.9% | Killeen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Killeen
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Killeen
2339
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Killeen
45.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Killeen
13.0%
Killeen +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Killeen
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Killeen
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Killeen
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Killeen
14.6%
Killeen +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 45.7% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.0% | Killeen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.7% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 17.3% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.0% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.6% | Killeen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Killeen
66.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Killeen
33.1 in
Killeen +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 66.0°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 33.1 in | Killeen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Killeen
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Killeen
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Killeen
30.4 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Killeen, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 30.4 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Killeen leads in median household income at $172,654, while killeen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,846. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Killeen. Killeen has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, 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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