Gastonia NC vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 55.2% | 21.8% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 1.4% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $28,813 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 15.5% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $751,711 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 47.0% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Salinas, 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%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.2% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 22.4% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.8% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 28.8 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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