Gastonia NC vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Orem
86,973
Orem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Orem
1.6%
Orem +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 86,973 | Orem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 55.2% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 30.9% | 1.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.6% | Orem + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $33,579 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 25.6% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $509,396 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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