City Comparison
High Point vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
High Point scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
High Point
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
High Point is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Cincinnati.
| Metric | High Point | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,330 | $1,410 | -6% |
| Groceries | $390 | $493 | -21% |
| Utilities | $175 | $178 | -2% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,240 | $2,451 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 34% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in High Point is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | High Point | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,914 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $64,561 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
High Point runs warmer on average — a 60.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, High Point comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — High Point sees 3.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | High Point | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
High Point scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | High Point | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of High Point.
From a growth perspective, High Point is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | High Point | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,571 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
High Point
Advantages
Median home values and overall cost of living run roughly 7% to 29% below the national average per U.S. Census data.
Rapid downtown revitalization featuring the Truist Point stadium district has sparked millions in private investments.
Shorter average commute times than the national norm, easing daily travel across the Piedmont Triad.
Home to the renowned High Point Market, driving international commerce, tourism, and local business exposure.
Strategic central North Carolina location providing easy access to major mountains and coastal destinations.
Drawbacks
Poverty rate sits slightly above the national average at approximately 15.7% according to recent Census figures.
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit coverage outside core routes.
Average individual and household incomes trail behind national benchmarks, mirroring broader regional wage trends.
Fluctuations in traditional furniture manufacturing sectors can create localized employment shifts.
Property crime rates in certain urban pockets require ongoing municipal intervention and policing strategies.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
High Point
#209North Carolina, USA
63.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,330
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
60.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
73
Business
70
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between High Point and Cincinnati.
Open Cost Calculator