Gastonia NC vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 55.2% | 39.1% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $54,550 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 15.5% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $313,219 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 48.5% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
North Charleston
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
North Charleston
1999
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 15.3% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.8% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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