Gastonia NC vs Lynn 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%
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Lynn
100,905
Lynn +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Lynn
36.8
Lynn +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Lynn
12.1%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 100,905 | Lynn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.8 | Lynn + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 55.2% | 44.6% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 12.1% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Lynn
$35,083
Lynn +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $35,083 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 23.3% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Lynn
50.4%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $584,482 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 50.4% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Lynn
17.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Lynn
11.8%
Lynn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Lynn
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Lynn
14.6%
Lynn +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.3% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.8% | Lynn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.8% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.6% | Lynn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lynn, MA | 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
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 33.8 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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