High Point NC vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
High Point
32.7%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 7.7% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 44.0% | High Point + |
| Black | 32.7% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.7% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 9.9% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.1% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 17.3% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 32.7% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $310,519 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 45.7% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 39.9% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.4% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.1% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | High Point, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 60.6°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 50.8 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 24.4 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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