Gastonia NC vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 55.2% | 46.4% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 10.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,714 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 16.4% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Little Rock
54.2%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 54.2% | Tie |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 660 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2507 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Little Rock
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 40.5% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 62.7°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 50.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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%.
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