Gastonia NC vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 55.2% | 39.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 6.0% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.0% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 25.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $648,603 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.5% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.6% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 66.8°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 34.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 503 in Riverside. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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