Apex, NC vs Gastonia, NC

The cost of living difference between Apex, NC and Gastonia, NC is dramatic. Gastonia is 46.4% cheaper than Apex, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Apex has a cost index of 131 while Gastonia sits at 89, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Apex is $1,784/month compared to $1,145/month in Gastonia — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gastonia is more affordable at $250,000 median vs $514,800.

Median household income in Apex is $138,442 compared to $60,554 in Gastonia (+128.6%). While Apex is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Apex spend roughly 15.5% of their income on rent, less than the 22.7% in Gastonia.