High Point NC vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Lexington
11.0%
White
High Point
46.1%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 11.0% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 32.7% | 14.4% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 9.2% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $52,606 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 15.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $332,727 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 53.6% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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