Gastonia NC vs West Covina CA — 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%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
West Covina
107,436
West Covina +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 107,436 | West Covina + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 40.1 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 55.2% | 20.0% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 4.1% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
West Covina
$38,100
West Covina +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
West Covina
29.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $38,100 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 6.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 29.8% | West Covina + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $851,613 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Gastonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
West Covina
12.8%
West Covina +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
West Covina
11.4%
West Covina +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.8% | West Covina + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 11.4% | West Covina + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | West Covina, CA | 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
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Gastonia +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 36.1 min | Gastonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in West Covina. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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