High Point NC vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
High Point
46.1%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 46.1% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 32.7% | 7.8% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.9% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Phoenix
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 32.3% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $411,323 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 57.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | High Point, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.3% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.3% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 72.1°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 27.7 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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