High Point NC vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Paterson
N/A
White
High Point
46.1%
Paterson
N/A
Black
High Point
32.7%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
High Point
8.2%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 46.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 32.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $527,542 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.1% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.6% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 28.6% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.3% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.4% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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