Gastonia NC vs Pomona CA — 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%
Pomona, CA
California · Population: 148,391
- Median HH Income$78,869
- Median Home Price$689,570
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+19.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Pomona
148,391
Pomona +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Pomona
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Pomona
35.4
Pomona +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Pomona
32.7%
Pomona +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Pomona
22.7%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Pomona
5.3%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Pomona
11.1%
Pomona +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Pomona
71.5%
Pomona +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Pomona
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 148,391 | Pomona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.4 | Pomona + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 32.7% | Pomona + |
| White | 55.2% | 22.7% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 5.3% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 11.1% | Pomona + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 71.5% | Pomona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Pomona
$78,869
Pomona +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Pomona
$28,131
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Pomona
$77,230
Pomona +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Pomona
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Pomona
14.2%
Pomona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Pomona
19.5%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $78,869 | Pomona + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $28,131 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Pomona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.3% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 14.2% | Pomona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 19.5% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Pomona
$689,570
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Pomona
54.6%
Pomona +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $689,570 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 54.6% | Pomona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Pomona
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Pomona
2388
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Pomona
28.6%
Pomona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Pomona
13.0%
Pomona +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Pomona
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Pomona
17.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Pomona
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Pomona
12.0%
Pomona +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 28.6% | Pomona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.0% | Pomona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.7% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 17.4% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.5% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.0% | Pomona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Pomona
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Pomona
17.2 in
Pomona +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 65.0°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 17.2 in | Pomona + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Pomona
7.9 µg/m³
Pomona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Pomona
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pomona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Pomona
34.5 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pomona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 34.5 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pomona leads in median household income at $78,869, 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 503 in Pomona. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Pomona has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pomona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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