Gastonia NC vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.7 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 3.8% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 39.9% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 3.1% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $51,090 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $32,893 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 18.9% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 51.4% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 40.0% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.0% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 67.4°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 65.3 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 24.5 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. 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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