High Point NC vs Knoxville 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
High Point
46.1%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 7.0% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 32.7% | 15.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.6% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 7.5% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $50,994 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $33,171 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,097 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 20.5% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 33.7% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $371,202 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 46.6% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | High Point, NC | Knoxville, 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%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Knoxville
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 22.0% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.9% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.8% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.8% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | High Point, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 51.9 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Knoxville, 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
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
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 Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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