Gastonia NC vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 4.7% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 49.6% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $48,536 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $31,324 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.0% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 23.8% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 45.1% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 42.6% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 21.3% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.1% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 65.0°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 55.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. 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, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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