Gastonia NC vs Pueblo CO — 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%
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Pueblo
111,514
Pueblo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Pueblo
38.1
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Pueblo
4.0%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Pueblo
70.3%
Pueblo +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Pueblo
2.7%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Gastonia +
Pueblo
0.8%
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 111,514 | Pueblo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.1 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 4.0% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 70.3% | Pueblo + |
| Black | 30.9% | 2.7% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 0.8% | Gastonia + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 48.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Pueblo
$55,305
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Pueblo
$30,949
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Pueblo
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Pueblo
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Pueblo
22.8%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $55,305 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $30,949 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 19.2% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 22.8% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Pueblo
$286,326
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Pueblo
60.8%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $286,326 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 60.8% | Pueblo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Pueblo
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Pueblo
3234
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Pueblo
33.5%
Pueblo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Pueblo
13.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Pueblo
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Pueblo
18.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Pueblo
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Pueblo
15.1%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 33.5% | Pueblo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.0% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 18.9% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Pueblo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Pueblo
53.7°F
Pueblo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 53.7°F | Pueblo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 13.0 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Pueblo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 21.1 min | Pueblo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, 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 512 in Pueblo. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pueblo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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