Gastonia NC vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.5 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 55.2% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 30.9% | 21.8% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $53,328 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $30,409 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 8.6% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 21.9% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 23.2% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 53.8% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 44.7% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.4% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.0% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.0% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.5% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.1% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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