Gastonia NC vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 55.2% | 39.1% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 14.5% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $580,173 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 41.1% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Washington
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Washington
1999
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 24.0% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Washington, DC | 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
Gastonia +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Washington, DC | 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
Gastonia +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 32.8 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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