Head-to-Head · City Comparison
High Point, NC
VS
Raleigh, NC
🏆 High Point leads 14 of 22 categories
High Point
North Carolina
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,582
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,120
Raleigh
North Carolina
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$78,631 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
129⚠ High
Population
465,517 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
High Point, NC
Pros
Homes cost $151k less ($196,500 vs $347,000)
Rent averages $341/mo less ($1,030 vs $1,371)
7% less violent crime than Raleigh
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Raleigh
Cons
Median income trails Raleigh by $20,049/yr
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
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 4.5%)
Raleigh, NC
Pros
Households earn $20,049 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (4.5%)
More college-educated — 52.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $347,000
Violent crime (488.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,371/mo
Property crime (2819.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
High Point
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
High Point
Violent Crime
7% lower
454.8 vs 488.8 per 100k
High Point
Median Home Value
$151k less
$196,500 vs $347,000
Raleigh
Median Income
$20,049
$78,631 vs $58,582/yr
Raleigh
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
4.5% vs 6.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | High Point, NC | Raleigh, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $196,500 ✓ Lower | $347,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,030 ✓ Lower | $1,371⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,582 | $78,631 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High | 4.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.7 min ✓ Shorter | 23.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.0% | 20.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer | 131⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 117⚠ High ✓ Safer | 134⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.4% | 52.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.4% | 92.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Guilford County Schools | Wake County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 51.7°F | 51.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.4°F | 90.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.3" ✓ Drier | 49.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.9" ✓ Less | 4.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,120 | 465,517 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.7 ✓ Older | 34.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% ✓ Higher | 51.1% |
| Under 18 | 22.5% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 15.7% ✓ More | 11.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
High Point's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Raleigh's 98.0 (US average = 100).
High Point is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, High Point leads 14 of 22 categories. High Point wins 14 and Raleigh 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 Raleigh or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($196,500 vs $347,000 median home), income ($58,582 vs $78,631), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
High Point, NC and Raleigh, NC are about 76 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.