Living in Gastonia, NC offers a blend of small-town charm and modern conveniences, with a strong sense of community and rich historical roots. Known as 'The All-America City,' Gastonia is located just west of Charlotte and is the largest city in Gaston County. The city's family-friendly environment, combined with its vibrant arts scene and growing economy, make it an attractive place to live for both families and professionals.
Gastonia’s dining scene is diverse, offering a range of options from Southern comfort food to international cuisine. The city's downtown area is undergoing revitalization, featuring new shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues that reflect the community's spirit and pride. The annual Gaston All-American Fair is a highlight of the year, bringing the community together to enjoy rides, food, and family-friendly activities.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Gastonia provides plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city's parks, including Rankin Lake Park and Martha Rivers Park, offer sports fields, playgrounds, and scenic walking trails, making them perfect spots for family outings and community events. The nearby Crowders Mountain State Park provides additional opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and exploring the natural beauty of North Carolina.
Gastonia is also known for its strong sense of community and commitment to preserving its local heritage. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Gastonia Christmas Parade and the Gaston County Art Guild exhibitions, which bring residents together to celebrate and enjoy the local culture. The city's proximity to Charlotte means that residents can easily access the amenities of a larger city, including theaters, museums, and professional sports venues.
For those considering a move to North Carolina, Gastonia offers a perfect blend of small-town charm, cultural richness, and urban convenience. Whether you're drawn by its parks, community events, or easy access to Charlotte, living in Gastonia, NC provides a fulfilling and enjoyable lifestyle.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Amenities
A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.
Crime
This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.
Health & Safety
A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.
Gastonia, North Carolina is a moderately-sized city with a population of 76,635 people. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Gastonia your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 26 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Gastonia, North Carolina. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Gastonia, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, commute, health & safety, education, employment and more.
The livability score in Gastonia is 59/100 and the city is ranked in the 37th percentile of all cities across America. Compared to the United States average, this city has a score which ranks among the lowest in the nation, and it is not considered a very livable city. For each of the livability categories, we see that Gastonia ranks very well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A). Gastonia does not rank well for the following: amenities (F), crime (F), education (D) and employment (D). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Gastonia apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Gastonia real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Gastonia. The median home price for Gastonia homes is $162,900, which is 3.7% higher than the North Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Gastonia, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.2, which is 3% lower than the North Carolina average.
| Statistic | Gastonia | North Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 26min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 84.6% | 81.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.1% | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.8% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.2% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.3% | 4.8% | 4.6% |
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