Gastonia NC vs McKinney TX — 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%
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
McKinney
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
McKinney
37.8%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
McKinney
24.7%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
McKinney
3.0%
McKinney +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
McKinney
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 148,848 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.4 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 21.0% | McKinney + |
| White | 55.2% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 24.7% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.0% | McKinney + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 44.7% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
McKinney
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
McKinney
18.5%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $71,843 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $29,291 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.8% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 12.4% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 18.5% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
McKinney
$487,346
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $487,346 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 63.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
McKinney
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
McKinney
2339
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
McKinney
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 33.9% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.7% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.9% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.3% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
McKinney
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
McKinney
40.0 in
McKinney +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 64.2°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 40.0 in | McKinney + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
McKinney
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
McKinney
35.6 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | McKinney, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 35.6 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in McKinney. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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