Gastonia NC vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 121,537 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.1 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 6.6% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 30.9% | 28.6% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 7.6% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $55,297 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 19.1% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 643 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2824 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.0% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.4% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.8% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.1% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 67.6°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 61.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lafayette, LA | 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
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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