Gastonia NC vs Murfreesboro TN — 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%
Murfreesboro, TN
Tennessee · Population: 40,828
- Median HH Income$107,847
- Median Home Price$427,410
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Murfreesboro
40,828
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Murfreesboro
39.1
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Murfreesboro
9.8%
Murfreesboro +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Murfreesboro
78.3%
Murfreesboro +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Murfreesboro
7.7%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Murfreesboro
4.8%
Murfreesboro +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Murfreesboro
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Murfreesboro
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 40,828 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 39.1 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 9.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| White | 55.2% | 78.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Black | 30.9% | 7.7% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.8% | Murfreesboro + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 7.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Murfreesboro
$107,847
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Murfreesboro
$54,633
Murfreesboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Murfreesboro
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Murfreesboro
3.5%
Murfreesboro +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Murfreesboro
4.1%
Murfreesboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Murfreesboro
49.5%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $107,847 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $54,633 | Murfreesboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,097 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.5% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 4.1% | Murfreesboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 49.5% | Murfreesboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Murfreesboro
$427,410
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Murfreesboro
74.9%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $427,410 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 74.9% | Murfreesboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Murfreesboro
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Murfreesboro
2350
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Murfreesboro
37.3%
Murfreesboro +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Murfreesboro
9.9%
Murfreesboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Murfreesboro
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Murfreesboro
11.0%
Murfreesboro +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Murfreesboro
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Murfreesboro
14.0%
Murfreesboro +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 37.3% | Murfreesboro + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.9% | Murfreesboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.4% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.0% | Murfreesboro + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.5% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.0% | Murfreesboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Murfreesboro
58.3°F
Murfreesboro +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Murfreesboro
53.4 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 58.3°F | Murfreesboro + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 53.4 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Murfreesboro
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Murfreesboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Murfreesboro
33.8 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Murfreesboro, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 33.8 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murfreesboro leads in median household income at $107,847, 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 639 in Murfreesboro. Murfreesboro has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murfreesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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