Gastonia NC vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 112,546 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 55.2% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 30.9% | 23.4% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $52,170 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $29,894 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 8.1% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 19.9% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Lansing
53.9%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 53.9% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 39.9% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.4% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, 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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