High Point NC vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 46.1% | 28.7% | High Point + |
| Black | 32.7% | 21.4% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.8% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 15.6% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $664,939 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 28.8% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.0% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.3% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 40.3 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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