High Point NC vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
High Point
32.7%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 46.1% | 36.1% | High Point + |
| Black | 32.7% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 7.8% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $60,698 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 8.4% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 22.0% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 52.3% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | High Point, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 48.5 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 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 +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 34.5 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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