What it's like to live in High Point
High Point is a mid-size city in North Carolina with rent below the national average, home prices that remain within reach, commutes that run shorter than most cities, and a growing population. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. High Point deals with household incomes below the national average, crime rates above the national average, and a car-dependent commute, with few people using transit.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Affordable home prices
- Short commutes
- Growing population
- Average class sizes
The not so good
- Below-average household incomes
- Crime above national average
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How High Point compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to High Point
Based on High Point's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,232
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $44,640 a year
- 43% of High Point renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$47,160
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $23,580
- Homes cost 3.7× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 21% below US
$1,116/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,116 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices are reasonable, with a median around $235,800. Not a steal, but not intimidating either.
Median home value $235,800 · 43% of renters cost-burdened
Job marketNear US average
4.6% unemployment
Unemployment here is 4.6%, close to the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 58% above US
521 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is worth weighing seriously here. Rates run above the national average, and while plenty of residents live comfortably, neighborhood selection matters a lot more than it does in a safer city.
Property crime 1973/100k · High Point Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 20% below US
21 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 20.7 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 9 in 10 workers drive to work; 10% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 88°F, and winters are chilly but manageable, with lows around 33°F. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 2.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforceNear US average
34% bachelor's degree or higher
Education levels run about average, with 34% college-educated. It's a mix of white-collar and blue-collar work, which can be an asset or a limitation depending on the field.
Schools
28 public schools inside the boundary
There are 28 public schools inside the boundary and 7 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1, close to the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Guilford Courthouse National Military Park (13 miles away). There are 4 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
High Point's strongest points are rent below the national average and home prices that remain within reach; the main tradeoffs are household incomes below the national average and crime rates above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,116/mo) equals 21% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
See all the data for High Point →·All North Carolina cities →
Other places near High Point
All North Carolina guides →Moving to Thomasville →
9 mi away · pop. 27,321
Rent $879/mo · Income $60,935
Compare with High Point →Moving to Kernersville →
9 mi away · pop. 27,830
Rent $1,082/mo · Income $71,918
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