High Point NC vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
High Point
46.1%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 5.7% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 32.7% | 14.9% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.3% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 8.9% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 16.3% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $265,013 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 46.8% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Winston-Salem
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Winston-Salem
1999
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Winston-Salem, 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%
High Point +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 42.7% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.8% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.4% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.4% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Winston-Salem, 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
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem 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%.
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