Gastonia, NC vs Monroe, NC

Gastonia, NC and Monroe, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Gastonia scores 89 while Monroe scores 93 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Gastonia is $1,145/month compared to $1,216/month in Monroe — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gastonia is more affordable at $250,000 median vs $270,600.

Median household income in Gastonia is $60,554 compared to $67,265 in Monroe (-10%). While Monroe is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gastonia spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, more than the 21.7% in Monroe.