Gastonia NC vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 82,506 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 48.4 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 55.2% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 30.9% | 8.8% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $60,465 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 26.8% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $312,001 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 38.9% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.3% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.4% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.9% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 72.6°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 54.8 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
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, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
Compare More Cities
Gastonia, NC vs New York, NYGastonia, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gastonia, NCGastonia, NC vs Houston, TXGastonia, NC vs Phoenix, AZGastonia, NC vs Philadelphia, PA