Living in High Point, NC
High Point is the 253rd-largest city in the US, home to about 121,000 people in 2025. It has grown 5.7% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (92.9 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 120,571+5.7% since 2020
- Median home value
- $235,8003.7 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,116/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $64,561median, per year
- Price level
- 92.9US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 49° / 89°lows 30° / 69°
- Average commute
- 21 min10% work from home
- State income tax
- 3.99%top rate, flat
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County: Guilford County, Davidson County, Randolph County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 922 ft
Metro area: Greensboro-High Point, NC
Cost of living in High Point
The median home in High Point is worth $235,800 and the median household earns $64,561 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.7 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,116 a month, about 21% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Greensboro-High Point, NC metro area at 92.9, with housing at 74.5 and goods at 96.6 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $69,600 here. North Carolina taxes wages at a top rate of 3.99% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in North Carolina is 7.1%.
What would my salary be worth in High Point?
High Point weather
Average highs run from 49°F in January to 88°F in July, and January nights average 30°F. It gets 44 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 7 inches of snow. Expect about 33 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Nights drop below freezing about 68 times a year. The most comfortable months are April to June and October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit High Point
People and work
The median resident is 37.7 years old, and 34% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 58% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 21 minutes; 10% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 37.7350th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 34%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 58%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,09957.4 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%1% walk, 0.2% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.2%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 15.7%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1989median year
Who moves to High Point, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Wilmington (New Hanover County), Miami (Miami-Dade County) and Fort Lauderdale (Broward County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Brunswick County, NC, Wilmington (New Hanover County) and Horry County, SC. See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Guilford County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: ice storm, inland flooding, winter weather, lightning.
Home prices
+4.9% in a year
Up 55% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Greensboro-High Point, NC area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
75% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Greensboro-High Point, NC area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near High Point
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Forsyth Technical Community College 16 miles
- Wake Forest University 19 miles
- Elon University 29 miles
- High Point University in High Point
- Winston-Salem State University 15 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near High Point
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Piedmont Triad International Airport GSO | 9 mi | 985,563 |
| Concord Regional Airport USA | 57 mi | 132,000 |
| Raleigh-Durham International Airport RDU | 68 mi | 7,584,394 |
| Charlotte Douglas International Airport CLT | 74 mi | 28,523,822 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near High Point
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 13 mi | 14,062 | $12,291 | 58% |
| North Carolina A & T State University | 15 mi | 12,182 | $9,884 | 56% |
| Guilford Technical Community College | 5 mi | 9,260 | $17,020 | 33% |
| Forsyth Technical Community College | 16 mi | 7,113 | $2,937 | 45% |
| Wake Forest University | 19 mi | 5,485 | $28,165 | 90% |
| High Point University | in town | 5,129 | $41,019 | 72% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in High Point
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 30, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 27 and the first frost comes around November 5.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Piedmont Triad Intl. Airport, NC, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for High Point.
Wildfire smoke in High Point
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered High Point on about 122 days a year, including about 16 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in High Point
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 45,872 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in High Point
Downtown High Point is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guilford County Schools | Pre-K to 13 | 67,620 | 120 | 15.1 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Forsyth County Schools (52,430 students), Davidson County Schools (17,985 students), Randolph County Schools (14,994 students), Thomasville City Schools (2,149 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
High Point's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to High Point's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Louisville, KY87% matchCompare
- Oklahoma City, OK84% matchCompare
- Bowling Green, KY83% matchCompare
- Norman, OK82% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near High Point
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near High Point
- Appalachian Ski Mountain 94 miles
- Winterplace Ski Resort 128 miles
- Wolf Ridge Ski Resort 140 miles
- Wintergreen Resort 147 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in High Point
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.7 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 7% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Commutes are short: 21 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what should newcomers know?
High Point report card from locals
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High Point through locals' eyes
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Cities near High Point
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro, NC | 14 mi | 308,667 | $244,800 | 92.9 | Compare |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 14 mi | 257,271 | $233,800 | 92.0 | Compare |
| Concord, NC | 51 mi | 114,598 | $353,700 | 97.3 | Compare |
| Durham, NC | 63 mi | 305,561 | $392,800 | 97.6 | Compare |
| Apex, NC | 67 mi | 80,419 | $576,100 | 98.2 | Compare |
| Cary, NC | 69 mi | 183,582 | $580,200 | 98.2 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare High Point with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is High Point a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, a growing population, short commutes. Compare High Point side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of High Point?
The Census Bureau estimates High Point had 120,571 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 114,075 in April 2020 (+5.7%).
How much do you need to earn to live in High Point?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $69,600 in the High Point area. The median household here earns $64,561.
When is the best time to visit High Point?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, April to June and October are the most comfortable months. July averages 88°F and January 49°F for daytime highs.
What county is High Point in?
High Point spans Guilford County (71%), Davidson County (21%), Randolph County (6%), Forsyth County (2%) by share of the city's land. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is High Point in?
High Point is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of High Point?
About 922 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does North Carolina have a state income tax?
Yes. North Carolina has a flat income tax with a top rate of 3.99% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of High Point. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Greensboro-High Point, NC metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Piedmont Triad Intl. Airport, NC station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.