High Point NC vs Salem 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Salem
12.2%
White
High Point
46.1%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 12.2% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 32.7% | 1.6% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.5% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 31.4% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $438,754 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 55.7% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Salem
3001
| Metric | High Point, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 41.4% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.8% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.2% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Salem, 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 +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 24.5 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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