Gastonia NC vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Spokane
37.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 6.1% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 30.9% | 2.7% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 7.8% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.0% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 14.6% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $400,636 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.5% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Spokane 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 has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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