Gastonia NC vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Paterson
N/A
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 55.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 30.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $527,542 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.1% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 28.6% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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