Gastonia NC vs Maple Grove MN — 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%
Maple Grove, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$429,240
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Maple Grove
426,845
Maple Grove +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Maple Grove
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Maple Grove
33.0
Maple Grove +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Maple Grove
14.1%
Maple Grove +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Maple Grove
61.6%
Maple Grove +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Maple Grove
18.3%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Maple Grove
5.2%
Maple Grove +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Maple Grove
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Maple Grove
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Maple Grove, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 426,845 | Maple Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.0 | Maple Grove + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 14.1% | Maple Grove + |
| White | 55.2% | 61.6% | Maple Grove + |
| Black | 30.9% | 18.3% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.2% | Maple Grove + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 10.5% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Maple Grove
$80,269
Maple Grove +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Maple Grove
$50,605
Maple Grove +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Maple Grove
$69,467
Maple Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Maple Grove
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Maple Grove
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Maple Grove
54.4%
Maple Grove +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Maple Grove, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $80,269 | Maple Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $50,605 | Maple Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Maple Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.7% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 16.4% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 54.4% | Maple Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Maple Grove
$429,240
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Maple Grove
48.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Maple Grove, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $429,240 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 48.0% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Maple Grove
284
Maple Grove +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Maple Grove
1992
Maple Grove +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Maple Grove, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Maple Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Maple Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Maple Grove
25.4%
Maple Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Maple Grove
7.2%
Maple Grove +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Maple Grove
13.6%
Maple Grove +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Maple Grove
5.5%
Maple Grove +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Maple Grove
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Maple Grove
9.9%
Maple Grove +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Maple Grove, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 25.4% | Maple Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 7.2% | Maple Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 13.6% | Maple Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 5.5% | Maple Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.1% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.9% | Maple Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Maple Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Maple Grove
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Maple Grove, MN | 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
Maple Grove
8.1 µg/m³
Maple Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Maple Grove
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Maple Grove, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Maple Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Maple Grove
24.2 min
Maple Grove +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Maple Grove, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 24.2 min | Maple Grove + |
Which City is Right for You?
Maple Grove leads in median household income at $80,269, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Maple Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Maple Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Maple Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.4%.
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