Gastonia NC vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 55.2% | 50.9% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 10.8% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.4% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 16.0% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $484,226 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 44.0% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.5% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.1% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 47.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 30.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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