Gastonia NC vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Sparks
N/A
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 55.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 30.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $530,668 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.1% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.8% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.7% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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