Gastonia NC vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gastonia
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Gastonia
37.2
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Gastonia
7.3%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Gastonia
30.9%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Gastonia
1.2%
Wilmington
1.6%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Gastonia
11.4%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Gastonia
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,632 | 71,124 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.0 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.3% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 55.2% | 32.4% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 30.9% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.6% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Gastonia
$33,611
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gastonia
$59,120
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gastonia
27.7%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,554 | $55,269 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,611 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.6% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 23.2% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.7% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gastonia
$279,838
Gastonia +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,838 | $327,117 | Gastonia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 46.0% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
398
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gastonia
1999
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
12.5%
Gastonia +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
14.2%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.8% | 41.0% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.0% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.4% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.7% | Gastonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
60.5°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.5°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.0 in | 49.3 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gastonia
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Wilmington, DE | 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
Wilmington
25.0 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.1 min | 25.0 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while gastonia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,838. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 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, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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