High Point NC vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
High Point
46.1%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 12.1% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 32.7% | 27.6% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 6.8% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 10.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $45,845 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $27,570 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.4% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 29.6% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 30.5% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 41.3% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Syracuse
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 41.5% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.8% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.3% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.1% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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