High Point NC vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
High Point
46.1%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 12.2% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 32.7% | 10.5% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 33.5% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $496,966 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 56.5% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.7% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.8% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 31.1 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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