High Point NC vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
High Point
115,263
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
High Point
46.1%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 46.1% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 32.7% | 12.1% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 6.9% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.4% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 19.8% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $435,532 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 42.4% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.9% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.1% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.5% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | High Point, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 48.1 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 27.3 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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