Detroit MI vs High Point NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Detroit
11.7%
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
High Point
32.7%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 115,263 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.8 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 11.7% | 46.1% | High Point + |
| Black | 76.8% | 32.7% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 12.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $61,228 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $34,492 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $59,120 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 33.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
High Point
$251,699
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $251,699 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
High Point
398
High Point +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
High Point
1999
| Metric | Detroit, MI | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
High Point
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
High Point
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 37.7% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.0% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.5% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.2% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
High Point
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 60.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 46.1 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 22.7 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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