High Point NC vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Tucson
13.7%
White
High Point
46.1%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 13.7% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 32.7% | 5.0% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.1% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Tucson
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $54,546 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $31,152 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.4% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 18.8% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 30.2% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $324,946 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 51.7% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.3% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.7% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.6% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 69.8°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 23.9 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, 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 450 in Tucson. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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