Gastonia NC vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 55.2% | 54.0% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 20.4% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $51,468 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $28,819 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 24.0% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 48.9% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.4% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 20.4% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.2% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 66.6°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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