Gastonia NC vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 55.2% | 41.5% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $46,628 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $30,451 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.9% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 26.6% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 37.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 38.0% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.3% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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