Ann Arbor, MI vs Gastonia, NC
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Ann Arbor
72.9
#803 nationally
Gastonia
67.9
#1368 nationally
Ann Arbor leads in walk score (57 vs 23). Ann Arbor leads in median household income ($73,018 vs $58,047). Ann Arbor leads in average commute (20.8 min vs 25.7 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Gastonia, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.9 (#803) | 67.9 (#1368) |
| Population | 123,851 | 83,942 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $536,036 | $279,555 |
| Median Household Income | $73,018 | $58,047 |
| Average Commute | 20.8 min | 25.7 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 23 |
| Crime Level | Low | 23.3 |
| School Rating | 8.9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+44.4 | R+25.0 |
C-
72.9 Score
Ann Arbor, MI
A quintessential college town with big-city culture
Median Home
$536,036
Population
123,851
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Midwest
View Ann Arbor, MI →
D+
67.9 Score
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$279,555
Population
83,942
Crime
High
Walk Score
23
Southeast
View Gastonia, NC →