High Point NC vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
High Point
46.1%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 46.1% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 32.7% | 21.3% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.8% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 15.9% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $376,530 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 50.2% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.9% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.7% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 73.4°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 46.3 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 26.8 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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