Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Erie, PA
VS
High Point, NC
🏆 High Point leads 13 of 23 categories
Erie
Pennsylvania
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,135
Violent Crime Index
99 ✓ Safer
Population
94,826
High Point
North Carolina
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7
Median Household Income
$58,582 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High
Population
114,120 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Erie, PA
Pros
Homes cost $95k less ($101,500 vs $196,500)
17% less violent crime than High Point
Rent averages $221/mo less ($809 vs $1,030)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.5)
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 89°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails High Point by $15,447/yr
Snowy winters — about 104" of snow per year
High Point, NC
Pros
Households earn $15,447 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (6.2%)
More college-educated — 34.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 52°F vs 35°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cons
Violent crime (454.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2456.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Erie
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 91.5 vs 92.7 (100 = US avg)
Erie
Violent Crime
17% lower
375.6 vs 454.8 per 100k
Erie
Median Home Value
$95k less
$101,500 vs $196,500
High Point
Median Income
$15,447
$58,582 vs $43,135/yr
High Point
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
6.2% vs 6.8% unemployment
High Point
Summer Heat
8.3°F warmer
July avg high 89.4°F vs 81.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Erie, PA | High Point, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.5 ✓ Cheaper | 92.7 |
| Median Home Value | $101,500 ✓ Lower | $196,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $809 ✓ Lower | $1,030 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $43,135 | $58,582 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8%⚠ High | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.2 min ✓ Shorter | 20.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 5.8% | 8.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 96 ✓ Safer | 119⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 99 ✓ Safer | 120⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 117⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (90) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.4% | 34.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.6% ✓ Higher | 86.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Erie City SD | Guilford County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 35.2°F | 51.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.1°F | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.0" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 104.3" | 1.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,826 | 114,120 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.6% | 58.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.4% | 22.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.5% | 15.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Erie's cost of living index is 91.5 vs High Point's 92.7 (US average = 100).
Erie is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, High Point leads 13 of 23 categories. Erie wins 10 and High Point wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Erie to High Point or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($101,500 vs $196,500 median home), income ($43,135 vs $58,582), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Erie, PA and High Point, NC are about 423 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.