Gastonia NC vs Utica 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 51,054 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 55.2% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 30.9% | 16.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 9.8% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $57,688 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 9.4% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 23.8% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 36.8% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 39.6% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.1% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.4% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.7% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Utica, NY | 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
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Utica 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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