Head-to-Head · City Comparison
High Point, NC
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 High Point leads 14 of 23 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
Washington
District of Columbia
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,722 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
High Point, NC
Pros
Homes cost $509k less ($196,500 vs $705,000)
Rent averages $787/mo less ($1,030 vs $1,817)
51% less violent crime than Washington
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Washington
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (6.2%)
Cons
Median income trails Washington by $43,140/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
Washington, DC
Pros
Households earn $43,140 more per year on average
More college-educated — 62.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $705,000
Higher rents — median is $1,817/mo
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 16% higher than High Point
Key Differences at a Glance
High Point
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
High Point
Violent Crime
51% lower
454.8 vs 925.9 per 100k
High Point
Median Home Value
$509k less
$196,500 vs $705,000
High Point
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
6.2% vs 7.1% unemployment
Washington
Median Income
$43,140
$101,722 vs $58,582/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | High Point, NC | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper | 108.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $196,500 ✓ Lower | $705,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,030 ✓ Lower | $1,817⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,582 | $101,722 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.7 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.0% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 117⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.4% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.4% | 92.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Guilford County Schools | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 51.7°F ✓ Warmer | 44.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.4°F | 89.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 48.3" | 45.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.9" ✓ Less | 9.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,120 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.7 ✓ Older | 34.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% ✓ Higher | 41.4% |
| Under 18 | 22.5% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 15.7% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
High Point's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
High Point is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, High Point leads 14 of 23 categories. High Point wins 14 and Washington wins 9. 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 Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($196,500 vs $705,000 median home), income ($58,582 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
High Point, NC and Washington, DC are about 259 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.