Gastonia NC vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 125,983 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 55.2% | 45.5% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 18.1% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pasadena, 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 +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 39.1% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.6% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.8% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 32.1% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.1% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pasadena, TX | 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
Gastonia +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pasadena, 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
Gastonia +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 36.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, 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%.
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