Gastonia NC vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
New Haven
30.6%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 132,893 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 55.2% | 36.8% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 30.6% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $53,771 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $34,482 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.7% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 25.0% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $330,564 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 28.4% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
New Haven
14.2%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 37.9% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.9% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.7% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.2% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 47.1 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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