Gastonia NC vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Spokane Valley
105,460
Spokane Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Spokane Valley +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 105,460 | Spokane Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.6 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 5.1% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 30.9% | 1.4% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 7.5% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 24.8% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $414,734 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.1% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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