Gastonia NC vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Mesa
37.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 55.2% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 30.9% | 4.4% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Mesa
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $435,670 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.0% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.1% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 71.8°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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