Gastonia NC vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 55.2% | 51.9% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 27.6% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 10.3% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $45,845 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $27,570 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.4% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 29.6% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 41.3% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 41.5% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.8% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.3% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.1% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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