Gastonia, NC vs Paterson, NJ
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.
Gastonia
67.9
#1368 nationally
Paterson
63.6
#1757 nationally
Paterson leads in walk score (76 vs 23). Gastonia leads in cost of living index (96 vs 122). Gastonia leads in crime level (23.3 vs 26.8).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Paterson, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.9 (#1368) | 63.6 (#1757) |
| Population | 83,942 | 156,452 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $279,555 | $542,128 |
| Median Household Income | $58,047 | $52,092 |
| Average Commute | 25.7 min | 23.4 min |
| Walk Score | 23 | 76 |
| Crime Level | 23.3 | 26.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+25.0 | R+2.9 |
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 →
D
63.6 Score
Paterson, NJ
Mid-size New Jersey city with community character
Median Home
$542,128
Population
156,452
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
76
Northeast
View Paterson, NJ →