High Point NC vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
High Point +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
High Point
32.7%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 71,124 | High Point + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 37.0 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 8.3% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 32.4% | High Point + |
| Black | 32.7% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.6% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 11.8% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $55,269 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 23.2% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 33.1% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $327,117 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 46.0% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
Wilmington
13.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 41.0% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.0% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.4% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.7% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.4% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | High Point, NC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 49.3 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Wilmington, DE | 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
High Point +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 25.0 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. 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