High Point NC vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
High Point
32.7%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 10.8% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 36.5% | High Point + |
| Black | 32.7% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.8% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $51,888 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $29,679 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.9% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 23.3% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 26.6% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 41.5% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 41.8% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.1% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.1% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.3% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.3% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Milwaukee, 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
High Point +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 24.1 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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