High Point NC vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
High Point +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
High Point +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
High Point
46.1%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 98,677 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 38.0 | High Point + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 7.5% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 32.7% | 29.0% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.1% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 8.6% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $52,671 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 19.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 28.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $279,668 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 51.7% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 41.9% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.9% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.4% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.7% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
Compare More Cities
High Point, NC vs New York, NYHigh Point, NC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs High Point, NCHigh Point, NC vs Houston, TXHigh Point, NC vs Phoenix, AZHigh Point, NC vs Philadelphia, PA