Gastonia NC vs Mount Vernon NY — 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%
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Mount Vernon +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 72,528 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 41.9 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 55.2% | 16.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Mount Vernon
35.0%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.9% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 35.0% | Mount Vernon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $579,771 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 42.1% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Mount Vernon
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.6% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mount Vernon, NY | 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
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 38.6 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Mount Vernon. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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