Gastonia NC vs Springfield MA — 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, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 55.2% | 40.8% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 20.0% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $51,339 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $27,054 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 8.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 25.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 19.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $298,985 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 49.5% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Springfield
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 39.6% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.8% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 21.1% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.7% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.1% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.5% | Gastonia + |
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
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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