Gastonia NC vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 114,303 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 55.2% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 30.9% | 1.1% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.2% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $26,755 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 22.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $486,127 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 39.9% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 21.5% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.6% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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