Gastonia NC vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 47,823 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 55.2% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 30.9% | 1.8% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $50,294 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $28,418 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $53,141 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 24.2% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 19.6% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $362,476 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.0% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Rio Rancho +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 55.7°F | Rio Rancho + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
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 834 in Rio Rancho. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
Gastonia, NC vs New York, NYGastonia, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gastonia, NCGastonia, NC vs Houston, TXGastonia, NC vs Phoenix, AZGastonia, NC vs Philadelphia, PA