Burlington, NC vs Gastonia, NC

Burlington is moderately more affordable than Gastonia, with a 11.2% lower cost of living index. Burlington scores 79 compared to 89 for Gastonia, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Gastonia can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Burlington is $1,030/month compared to $1,145/month in Gastonia — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Burlington is more affordable at $188,700 median vs $250,000.

Median household income in Burlington is $54,941 compared to $60,554 in Gastonia (-9.3%). The higher salaries in Gastonia partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Burlington spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, less than the 22.7% in Gastonia.