Gastonia NC vs Lynchburg VA — 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%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 79,255 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 4.6% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 30.9% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 5.0% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $59,808 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $30,004 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 17.4% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $264,994 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 49.1% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Lynchburg
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.4% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.8% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Lynchburg +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 54.8°F | Lynchburg + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 41.5 in | Lynchburg + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while lynchburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,994. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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