Gastonia NC vs Livonia 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%
Livonia, MI
Michigan · Population: 94,058
- Median HH Income$96,317
- Median Home Price$314,705
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Livonia
94,058
Livonia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Livonia
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Livonia
45.1
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Livonia
8.2%
Livonia +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Livonia
84.4%
Livonia +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Livonia
4.4%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Livonia
3.7%
Livonia +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Livonia
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 94,058 | Livonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 45.1 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 8.2% | Livonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 84.4% | Livonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 4.4% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.7% | Livonia + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 4.5% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Livonia
$96,317
Livonia +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Livonia
$46,588
Livonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Livonia
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Livonia
4.5%
Livonia +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Livonia
40.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $96,317 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $46,588 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.5% | Livonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 40.5% | Livonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Livonia
$314,705
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Livonia
87.5%
Livonia +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $314,705 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 87.5% | Livonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Livonia
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Livonia
1590
Livonia +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Livonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Livonia
29.2%
Livonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Livonia
9.9%
Livonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Livonia
16.2%
Livonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Livonia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Livonia
11.3%
Livonia +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 29.2% | Livonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.9% | Livonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.2% | Livonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 4.7% | Livonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.8% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.3% | Livonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Livonia
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Livonia
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Livonia, MI | 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 +
Livonia
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Livonia
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Livonia, 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
Livonia
25.8 min
Livonia +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Livonia, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 25.8 min | Livonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Livonia leads in median household income at $96,317, 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 471 in Livonia. Livonia has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Livonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.
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