High Point NC vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
High Point +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
High Point +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
High Point
46.1%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 44,998 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 57.8 | High Point + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 46.1% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 32.7% | 5.4% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.5% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $503,393 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | High Point, NC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.6% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.7% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.8% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 63.5°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 24.1 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 503 in Palmdale. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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