Gastonia NC vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 28,542 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 42.3 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 6.8% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 30.9% | 3.1% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 4.7% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $321,835 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Schenectady
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 38.6% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.2% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.9% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Schenectady, NY | 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
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, 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 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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