Gastonia NC vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Wichita Falls
102,558
Wichita Falls +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Gastonia +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 102,558 | Wichita Falls + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 7.2% | Gastonia + |
| White | 55.2% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 30.9% | 12.9% | Gastonia + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $58,568 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $31,987 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 17.4% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 25.0% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Gastonia +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Wichita Falls, 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%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Gastonia +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.9% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.8% | Gastonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 63.4°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Gastonia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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