High Point NC vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
High Point
46.1%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 46.1% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 32.7% | 6.6% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $871,599 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 44.3% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | High Point, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.0% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 28.8 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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