Gastonia NC vs League City TX — 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%
League City, TX
Texas · Population: 114,885
- Median HH Income$119,870
- Median Home Price$373,295
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+47.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
League City
114,885
League City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
League City
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
League City
37.7
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
League City
11.1%
League City +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
League City
70.7%
League City +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
League City
7.4%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
League City
6.0%
League City +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
League City
19.3%
League City +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
League City
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 114,885 | League City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.7 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 11.1% | League City + |
| White | 55.2% | 70.7% | League City + |
| Black | 30.9% | 7.4% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 6.0% | League City + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 19.3% | League City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
League City
$119,870
League City +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
League City
$52,344
League City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
League City
$63,758
League City +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
League City
3.6%
League City +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
League City
4.5%
League City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
League City
47.9%
League City +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $119,870 | League City + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $52,344 | League City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | League City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.6% | League City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 4.5% | League City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 47.9% | League City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
League City
$373,295
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
League City
74.4%
League City +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $373,295 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 74.4% | League City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
League City
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
League City
2339
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
League City
30.5%
League City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
League City
9.3%
League City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
League City
15.5%
League City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
League City
10.8%
League City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
League City
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
League City
9.7%
League City +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 30.5% | League City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.3% | League City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.5% | League City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.8% | League City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 20.0% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.7% | League City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
League City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
League City
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | N/A | - |
| 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
Gastonia +
League City
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
League City
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
League City
32.4 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | League City, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 32.4 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
League City leads in median household income at $119,870, 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 442 in League City. League City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, League City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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