High Point NC vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
San Bernardino
4.1%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 46.1% | 27.6% | High Point + |
| Black | 32.7% | 11.8% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.1% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | High Point, NC | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $63,988 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $23,980 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.5% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 19.5% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 12.8% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | High Point, NC | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $492,059 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 48.5% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
San Bernardino
2388
| Metric | High Point, NC | San Bernardino, 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%
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
San Bernardino
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | High Point, NC | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 37.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.6% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.0% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 20.2% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.2% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.1% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 30.7 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, 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 San Bernardino. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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