Gastonia NC vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.0 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 55.2% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 30.9% | 1.4% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $575,076 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.7% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 28.6 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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