High Point NC vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
High Point +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
High Point
46.1%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 39.3 | High Point + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 46.1% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 32.7% | 9.0% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $507,575 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 56.6% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Plano
2339
| Metric | High Point, NC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.4% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Plano, TX | 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
High Point +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 27.6 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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