Gastonia NC vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.0 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 55.2% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 30.9% | 29.0% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 8.6% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $52,671 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 19.7% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 51.7% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 41.9% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.9% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.4% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.7% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 44.5 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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