Gastonia NC vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 49.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 55.2% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 30.9% | 2.0% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 9.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Scottsdale
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $858,307 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.4% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 72.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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