Gastonia NC vs Norfolk 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 55.2% | 44.0% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 9.9% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.1% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 17.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $310,519 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 45.7% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 39.9% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.4% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.1% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 60.6°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 50.8 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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