Gastonia NC vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 6.6% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 45.7% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 5.1% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $55,279 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 19.8% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 45.4% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.9% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | St. Louis, MO | 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
Gastonia +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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