Gastonia NC vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Overland Park
143,720
Overland Park +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Overland Park
36.6
Overland Park +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Overland Park
10.7%
Overland Park +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Overland Park
12.6%
Overland Park +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 143,720 | Overland Park + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.6 | Overland Park + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 10.7% | Overland Park + |
| White | 55.2% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 30.9% | 4.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.2% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 12.6% | Overland Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 49.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Overland Park
$487,466
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $487,466 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Overland Park
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Overland Park
2174
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Overland Park
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 30.0% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.2% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.9% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Overland Park, KS | 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
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Overland Park
22.4 min
Overland Park +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 22.4 min | Overland Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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