Gastonia NC vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 55.2% | 53.8% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 27.5% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Raleigh
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $435,807 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 51.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Raleigh
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Raleigh
1999
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.3% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 61.1°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 46.2 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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