Gastonia NC vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Macon
30.4%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Macon
2.0%
Macon +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 61,773 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 55.2% | 43.7% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 30.4% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.0% | Macon + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 47.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Macon
1752
Macon +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Macon, GA | 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
Gastonia +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 64.6°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 45.7 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 30.2 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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