High Point NC vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
High Point +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
High Point +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
High Point
46.1%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 102,583 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 38.6 | High Point + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 4.2% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 32.7% | 10.2% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.9% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 5.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $313,200 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 18.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | 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 +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 26.9 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, 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 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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