High Point NC vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 46.1% | 21.8% | High Point + |
| Black | 32.7% | 1.4% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 5.7% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $28,813 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 15.5% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $751,711 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 47.0% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | High Point, NC | Salinas, 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%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 22.4% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.8% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 28.8 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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