High Point NC vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 46.1% | 30.4% | High Point + |
| Black | 32.7% | 1.5% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $2,144,024 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 43.8% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 25.3 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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