Head-to-Head · City Comparison
High Point, NC
VS
Modesto, CA
🏆 High Point leads 15 of 23 categories
High Point
North Carolina
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,582
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,120
Modesto
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
High Point, NC
Pros
Homes cost $185k less ($196,500 vs $381,800)
Rent averages $467/mo less ($1,030 vs $1,497)
31% less violent crime than Modesto
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (6.2%)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 34.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (454.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Modesto by $14,793/yr
Property crime (2456.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Modesto, CA
Pros
Households earn $14,793 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than High Point
Key Differences at a Glance
High Point
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
High Point
Violent Crime
31% lower
454.8 vs 655.7 per 100k
High Point
Median Home Value
$185k less
$196,500 vs $381,800
High Point
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
6.2% vs 7.8% unemployment
Modesto
Median Income
$14,793
$73,375 vs $58,582/yr
Modesto
Summer Heat
5.6°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 89.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | High Point, NC | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 105.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $196,500 ✓ Lower | $381,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,030 ✓ Lower | $1,497⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,582 | $73,375 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.7 min ✓ Shorter | 29.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.0% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer | 150⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 117⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) ✓ Better | C- (65) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.4% ✓ Higher | 19.7% |
| High School or Higher | 86.4% ✓ Higher | 83.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Guilford County Schools | Modesto City Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 51.7°F | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.4°F | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.3" | 12.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.9" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,120 | 218,308 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.7 ✓ Older | 34.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% ✓ Higher | 57.7% |
| Under 18 | 22.5% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.7% ✓ More | 13.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
High Point's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Modesto's 105.0 (US average = 100).
High Point is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, High Point leads 15 of 23 categories. High Point wins 15 and Modesto wins 8. 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 High Point to Modesto or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($196,500 vs $381,800 median home), income ($58,582 vs $73,375), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
High Point, NC and Modesto, CA are about 2,253 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.