Gastonia NC vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.7 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 55.2% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 30.9% | 23.7% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 8.6% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $52,606 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 16.1% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 43.3 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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