Gastonia NC vs Norman OK — 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%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Norman
128,714
Norman +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Norman
7.2%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 128,714 | Norman + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 7.2% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 30.9% | 5.1% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 9.0% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Norman
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,929 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.7% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 17.0% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $264,711 | Norman + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 52.7% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 429 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2375 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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