High Point NC vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
High Point
32.7%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 36.2 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 5.5% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 27.7% | High Point + |
| Black | 32.7% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.3% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 4.8% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $55,687 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $32,068 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.5% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 20.9% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 33.5% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 54.3% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 46.4% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.7% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.6% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.3% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | High Point, NC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 64.5°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 52.8 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. 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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