Gastonia NC vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 55.2% | 40.7% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 13.3% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.4% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 20.1% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $429,449 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 41.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.6% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.7% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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