Gastonia, NC vs Wilson, NC

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Wilson is 19.5% cheaper than Gastonia. With a cost index of 75 vs 89, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Wilson to Gastonia should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Gastonia is $1,145/month compared to $925/month in Wilson — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wilson is more affordable at $192,000 median vs $250,000.

Median household income in Gastonia is $60,554 compared to $47,294 in Wilson (+28%). While Gastonia 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, less than the 23.5% in Wilson.