Gastonia NC vs Las Vegas NV — 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 Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.5 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 55.2% | 49.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 11.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 27.3% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $426,069 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Las Vegas
15.6%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.5% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 17.0% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.4% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 67.4°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 27.7 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, 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 460 in Las Vegas. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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