Gastonia NC vs Naperville IL — 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%
Naperville, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,424
- Median HH Income$150,937
- Median Home Price$618,452
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+71.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 149,424 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 40.1 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 55.2% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 30.9% | 4.4% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 7.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $618,452 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.7% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Naperville, IL | 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
Gastonia +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 33.8 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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