High Point NC vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Waco
9.8%
White
High Point
46.1%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 9.8% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 32.7% | 20.4% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.0% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $51,468 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $28,819 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 24.0% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 28.6% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 48.9% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Waco
2339
| Metric | High Point, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Waco
13.0%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 20.4% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 20.4% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.2% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.1% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 66.6°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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