Gastonia NC vs New York 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
New York
35.9%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.0 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 55.2% | 35.9% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 22.7% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.7% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 17.4% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $816,078 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 32.8% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.9% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 46.6 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 44.2 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 New York. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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