High Point NC vs Houston TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Houston
35.5%
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Houston
6.9%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 46.1% | 35.5% | High Point + |
| Black | 32.7% | 22.9% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 6.9% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.7% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 19.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $265,062 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 42.0% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Houston
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Houston
2339
| Metric | High Point, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 38.0% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.9% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 24.0% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.7% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | High Point, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 48.7 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 29.6 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 442 in Houston. 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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