Gastonia NC vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Odessa
1.9%
Odessa +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 114,080 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 55.2% | 51.9% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 6.8% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.9% | Odessa + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Odessa
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 14.4% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 18.3% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Odessa
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 39.4% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.0% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 25.4% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.1% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 65.6°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while odessa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,423. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Odessa. 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, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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