High Point NC vs Utica 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
High Point +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Utica
9.7%
White
High Point
46.1%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Utica
4.3%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 51,054 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 9.7% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 32.7% | 16.9% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.3% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 9.8% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $57,688 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 9.4% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 23.8% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 36.8% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 39.6% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.1% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.4% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.2% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.7% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
Utica
22.7 min
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 22.7 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Utica 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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