Gastonia NC vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 55.2% | 48.3% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 7.0% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $32,983 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.8% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 17.1% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 52.4% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 24.5% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.0% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 68.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. 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, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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