Gastonia NC vs Roseville 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%
Roseville, CA
California · Population: 50,340
- Median HH Income$72,248
- Median Home Price$650,823
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+21.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Roseville
50,340
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Roseville
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Roseville
44.5
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Roseville
58.6%
Roseville +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Roseville
7.8%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Roseville
0.6%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Roseville
64.9%
Roseville +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Roseville
29.4%
Roseville +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Roseville
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 50,340 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 44.5 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 58.6% | Roseville + |
| White | 55.2% | 7.8% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 0.6% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 64.9% | Roseville + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 29.4% | Roseville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Roseville
$72,248
Roseville +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Roseville
$27,237
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Roseville
$77,230
Roseville +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Roseville
5.0%
Roseville +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Roseville
14.1%
Roseville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Roseville
21.9%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $72,248 | Roseville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $27,237 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Roseville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.0% | Roseville + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 14.1% | Roseville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 21.9% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Roseville
$650,823
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Roseville
48.2%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $650,823 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 48.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Roseville
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Roseville
2388
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Roseville, 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%
Roseville
27.2%
Roseville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Roseville
9.4%
Roseville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Roseville
15.8%
Roseville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Roseville
5.6%
Roseville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Roseville
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Roseville
9.5%
Roseville +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 27.2% | Roseville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.4% | Roseville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.8% | Roseville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 5.6% | Roseville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.6% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.5% | Roseville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Roseville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Roseville
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Roseville
7.9 µg/m³
Roseville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Roseville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Roseville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Roseville
30.5 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 30.5 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roseville leads in median household income at $72,248, 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 Roseville. Roseville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Roseville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roseville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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