High Point NC vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
High Point +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
High Point
46.1%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 71,455 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 35.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 4.6% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 32.7% | 6.3% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.0% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Johnson City
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Johnson City
5.9%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $55,429 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,097 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.9% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 21.1% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $294,254 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 49.8% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | High Point, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 21.1% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.9% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.3% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.4% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Johnson City, TN | 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
High Point +
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, 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 639 in Johnson City. 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, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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