High Point NC vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 46.1% | 39.2% | High Point + |
| Black | 32.7% | 6.0% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $33,716 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.0% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 25.7% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $648,603 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 56.3% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | High Point, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.5% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.6% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.2% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 66.8°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 34.1 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 503 in Riverside. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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