Gastonia NC vs Pittsburgh PA — 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 55.2% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 30.9% | 22.5% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 4.2% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 19.5% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 47.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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