Gastonia NC vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Miami
1.6%
Miami +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 39.7 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 55.2% | 34.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 13.7% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.6% | Miami + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Miami
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $59,390 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 19.2% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 35.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $580,996 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 30.7% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Miami
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 27.2% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.3% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 75.8°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 64.1 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 29.9 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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