Gastonia NC vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 55.2% | 50.7% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 8.6% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $55,931 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 23.2% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $293,664 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 39.5% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.3% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.2% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.7% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 67.6°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 58.1 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
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, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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