Gastonia NC vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 41.5 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 55.2% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 30.9% | 6.6% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 2.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $309,742 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.4% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. 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, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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