High Point NC vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
High Point
46.1%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
High Point
32.7%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 107,699 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 4.7% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 32.7% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.6% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 5.2% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $48,536 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $31,324 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.0% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 23.8% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 45.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 42.6% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 21.3% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.1% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.7% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 65.0°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 55.0 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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