Gastonia NC vs Newport News VA — 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%
Newport News, VA
Virginia · Population: 184,774
- Median HH Income$66,718
- Median Home Price$294,407
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 55.2% | 42.3% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 10.5% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Newport News
15.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 15.1% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $294,407 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 48.1% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Newport News
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Newport News
13.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 40.7% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.4% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 60.6°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 45.4 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
Compare More Cities
Gastonia, NC vs New York, NYGastonia, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gastonia, NCGastonia, NC vs Houston, TXGastonia, NC vs Phoenix, AZGastonia, NC vs Philadelphia, PA