High Point NC vs Kirkland 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
High Point +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Kirkland
37.7
Kirkland +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
High Point
46.1%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 57,088 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 37.7 | Kirkland + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 12.4% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 32.7% | 6.1% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 32.2% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Kirkland
57.2%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $1,274,801 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 57.2% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | High Point, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.1% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Kirkland, WA | 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
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 28.2 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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