Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
High Point
14.2%
White
Fresno
38.0%
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
High Point
8.2%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
High Point
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 115,263 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.8 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 46.1% | High Point + |
| Black | 6.7% | 32.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 8.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 12.3% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
High Point
$61,228
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
High Point
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $61,228 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $34,492 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 33.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $251,699 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
High Point
398
High Point +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
High Point
1999
High Point +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
High Point
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
High Point
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
High Point
14.2%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 37.7% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.0% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.8% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 60.6°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 46.1 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
High Point
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.7 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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