High Point NC vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
High Point
46.1%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 9.1% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 32.7% | 18.9% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 7.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 8.9% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $427,121 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 15.6% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 25.0 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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