Gastonia NC vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 55.2% | 36.5% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $51,888 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $29,679 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 23.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 26.6% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 41.5% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 41.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.7% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.1% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.1% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.3% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.3% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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