High Point NC vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
High Point
46.1%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 10.7% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 32.7% | 32.4% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.3% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Wilmington
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $57,673 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.9% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 17.9% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $419,326 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 54.6% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Wilmington
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Wilmington
1999
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
High Point +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | High Point, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 63.8°F | High Point + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 58.4 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 23.2 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 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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