Gastonia NC vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Westland
84,155
Westland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Westland
9.2%
Westland +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 84,155 | Westland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 9.2% | Westland + |
| White | 55.2% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 30.9% | 22.6% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 5.0% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Westland
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,052 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.3% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 21.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Westland
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.0% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Westland, MI | 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 +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gastonia
28.1 min
Westland
27.0 min
Westland +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 27.0 min | Westland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. 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, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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