Gastonia NC vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 55.2% | 54.1% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 2.6% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $55,176 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $30,804 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,141 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.4% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 22.0% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $290,963 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 17.7% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.9% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
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 834 in Las Cruces. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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