Gastonia NC vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 113,714 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 40.7 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 4.5% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 30.9% | 19.8% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 3.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.7% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 16.5% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 41.1% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.7% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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