Gastonia NC vs Knoxville TN — 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Knoxville
1.6%
Knoxville +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 7.0% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 30.9% | 15.7% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.6% | Knoxville + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 7.5% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $50,994 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $33,171 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,097 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 20.5% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $371,202 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 46.6% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 22.0% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.9% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.8% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.8% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 51.9 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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