Gastonia NC vs Miami Gardens 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 Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 11,627 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.7 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 55.2% | 52.5% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 15.3% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 34.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $472,888 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 34.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.3% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 22.4% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.4% | Miami Gardens + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miami Gardens, FL | 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
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 29.2 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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