High Point NC vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 46.1% | 36.8% | High Point + |
| Black | 32.7% | 12.4% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.2% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $480,548 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 51.5% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sacramento, 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%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Sacramento
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.9% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.3% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 61.0°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 27.0 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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