Gastonia NC vs Savannah GA — 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 147,546 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 6.7% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 37.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.9% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 7.1% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $56,782 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $32,004 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,405 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.7% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 19.5% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $326,132 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 44.4% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Savannah
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Savannah
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.6% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.5% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.8% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 66.8°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 48.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Savannah
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
Compare More Cities
Gastonia, NC vs New York, NYGastonia, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Gastonia, NCGastonia, NC vs Houston, TXGastonia, NC vs Phoenix, AZGastonia, NC vs Philadelphia, PA