High Point NC vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Mesa
11.2%
White
High Point
46.1%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 11.2% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 32.7% | 4.4% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.5% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Mesa
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 31.5% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $435,670 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | High Point, NC | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.0% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.1% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 71.8°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 26.7 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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