CityCompare

High Point NC vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%

West Palm Beach, FL

Florida · Population: 119,508

  • Median HH Income$69,261
  • Median Home Price$399,650
  • Unemployment5.4%
  • Bachelor's+37.6%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
High Point
115,263
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
High Point +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
West Palm Beach
50.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.

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About High Point & West Palm Beach

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