High Point NC vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
High Point +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Portland
12.4%
White
High Point
46.1%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Portland
8.1%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 38.6 | High Point + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 12.4% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 32.7% | 5.8% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 8.1% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 11.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $538,687 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 52.8% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Portland
3001
| Metric | High Point, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.3% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.7% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | High Point, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 78.3 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 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 +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 26.5 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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