High Point NC vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Madison
11.6%
White
High Point
46.1%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 11.6% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 32.7% | 7.1% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 8.0% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 9.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 16.2% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $429,253 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 46.6% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 20.8% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Madison, WI | 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
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
Compare More Cities
High Point, NC vs New York, NYHigh Point, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs High Point, NCHigh Point, NC vs Houston, TXHigh Point, NC vs Phoenix, AZHigh Point, NC vs Philadelphia, PA