Gastonia, NC vs Hayward, CA
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
Hayward
61.7
#1891 nationally
Hayward leads in walk score (57 vs 23). Hayward leads in median household income ($105,371 vs $58,047). Gastonia leads in cost of living index (96 vs 173).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Hayward, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.9 (#1368) | 61.7 (#1891) |
| Population | 83,942 | 155,675 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $279,555 | $831,558 |
| Median Household Income | $58,047 | $105,371 |
| Average Commute | 25.7 min | 34.2 min |
| Walk Score | 23 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 23.3 | 13.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 173 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+25.0 | D+53.6 |
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-
61.7 Score
Hayward, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$831,558
Population
155,675
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
57
Pacific
View Hayward, CA →