High Point NC vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
High Point +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Independence
5.3%
White
High Point
46.1%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 38.4 | High Point + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 5.3% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 32.7% | 10.8% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.4% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $59,480 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $31,683 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.0% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 15.3% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 20.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Independence
2418
| Metric | High Point, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.9% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.8% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.4% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 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 +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 25.5 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. 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, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
Compare More Cities
High Point, NC vs New York, NYHigh Point, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs High Point, NCHigh Point, NC vs Houston, TXHigh Point, NC vs Phoenix, AZHigh Point, NC vs Philadelphia, PA