Gastonia NC vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 68,505 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.5 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 55.2% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 30.9% | 9.0% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 3.1% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $561,069 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 46.7% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.8% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.3% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 47.3 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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