Gastonia NC vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 5.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 30.9% | 9.7% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $55,902 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $33,290 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 39.7% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.5% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.9% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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