Gastonia NC vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 55.2% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 30.9% | 6.6% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 8.2% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $871,599 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 44.3% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.0% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 28.8 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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