High Point NC vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Rochester
8.3%
White
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
High Point
32.7%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 8.3% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 41.5% | High Point + |
| Black | 32.7% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $46,628 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $30,451 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.9% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 26.6% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 29.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 37.2% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 38.0% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.3% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.3% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.6% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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