Gastonia NC vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 55.2% | 49.1% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 19.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $708,498 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 47.5% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.4% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 53.2 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 30.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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