Gastonia NC vs Miramar 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%
Miramar, FL
Florida · Population: 81,319
- Median HH Income$67,014
- Median Home Price$518,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+51.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Miramar
81,319
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Miramar
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Miramar
42.4
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Miramar
55.7%
Miramar +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Miramar
56.1%
Miramar +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Miramar
4.4%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Miramar
2.3%
Miramar +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Miramar
55.8%
Miramar +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Miramar
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miramar, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 81,319 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 42.4 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 55.7% | Miramar + |
| White | 55.2% | 56.1% | Miramar + |
| Black | 30.9% | 4.4% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.3% | Miramar + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 55.8% | Miramar + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Miramar
$67,014
Miramar +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Miramar
$72,301
Miramar +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Miramar
$65,328
Miramar +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Miramar
3.9%
Miramar +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Miramar
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Miramar
51.2%
Miramar +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miramar, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $67,014 | Miramar + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $72,301 | Miramar + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Miramar + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.9% | Miramar + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 14.4% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 51.2% | Miramar + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Miramar
$518,584
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Miramar
38.7%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miramar, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $518,584 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 38.7% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Miramar
324
Miramar +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Miramar
1453
Miramar +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miramar, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Miramar + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Miramar + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Miramar
30.9%
Miramar +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Miramar
12.2%
Miramar +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Miramar
15.9%
Miramar +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Miramar
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Miramar
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Miramar
10.6%
Miramar +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miramar, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 30.9% | Miramar + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.2% | Miramar + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.9% | Miramar + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 17.0% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.4% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.6% | Miramar + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Miramar
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Miramar
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miramar, 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
Miramar
7.2 µg/m³
Miramar +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Miramar
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miramar, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miramar + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Miramar
29.2 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Miramar, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 29.2 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miramar leads in median household income at $67,014, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Miramar is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Miramar has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Miramar has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miramar scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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