Gastonia, NC vs Topeka, KS
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
Topeka
73.5
#729 nationally
Topeka leads in average commute (17.1 min vs 25.7 min). Topeka leads in cost of living index (87 vs 96). Gastonia leads in median household income ($58,047 vs $54,052).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.9 (#1368) | 73.5 (#729) |
| Population | 83,942 | 125,475 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $279,555 | $198,385 |
| Median Household Income | $58,047 | $54,052 |
| Average Commute | 25.7 min | 17.1 min |
| Walk Score | 23 | N/A |
| Crime Level | 23.3 | 23.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 87 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+25.0 | Even |
Data coverage note: Topeka is missing data for 1 metric that Gastonia has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
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 →
C
73.5 Score
Topeka, KS
Mid-size Kansas city with community character
Median Home
$198,385
Population
125,475
Crime
High
Median Income
$54,052
Midwest
View Topeka, KS →