High Point NC vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
High Point +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Kent
14.1%
White
High Point
46.1%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 84,389 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 14.1% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 32.7% | 2.3% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.9% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $35,662 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 27.0% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $657,911 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Kent
3409
| Metric | High Point, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Kent
17.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.7% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Kent
23.0 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 23.0 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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