High Point NC vs Pittsburgh 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%

Pittsburgh, PA

Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620

  • Median HH Income$64,137
  • Median Home Price$240,538
  • Unemployment5.9%
  • Bachelor's+47.8%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
High Point
115,263
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
High Point
46.1%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Pittsburgh
47.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
Pittsburgh
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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).

Compare More Cities

About High Point & Pittsburgh