City Comparison
Wilmington vs High Point
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
High Point scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wilmington
High Point
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
High Point is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Wilmington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wilmington's average rent is
24% higher than High Point's.
| Metric | Wilmington | High Point | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,330 | +24% |
| Groceries | $420 | $390 | +8% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $115 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,590 | $2,240 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wilmington offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wilmington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wilmington is estimated at
$53,000 vs $48,000 in High Point.
| Metric | Wilmington | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,500 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $53,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,294 idx | 55,914 idx |
| Household Income | $67,500 | $64,561 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.6°F of each other.
For sunshine, High Point comes out ahead with 34 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wilmington sees 1.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wilmington | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.00°F | 60.40°F |
| Summer High | 87.60°F | 84.90°F |
| Winter Low | 37.30°F | 31.90°F |
| Rainfall | 50.60 in | 37.80 in |
| Snowfall | 5.30 in | 3.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | 259 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Wilmington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wilmington | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
High Point is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Wilmington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wilmington | High Point |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,250 | 120,571 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 4.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wilmington
Advantages
Median home price appreciation has stabilized after rapid post-pandemic growth, per Zillow data.
Abundant natural amenities including proximity to Wrightsville Beach and the Cape Fear River.
Robust job market anchored by Novant Health and UNCW with steady economic growth.
Thriving arts, culinary, and historic downtown scene with over 225 annual sunny days.
High educational attainment and vibrant community atmosphere driven by university presence.
Drawbacks
Higher cost of living and housing expenses compared to the North Carolina state average.
Vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes requiring higher insurance and prep costs.
Seasonal traffic congestion on corridors leading to local beaches during summer months.
Tight rental market inventory leading to elevated monthly apartment rents.
Car dependency outside of the compact historic downtown core.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Wilmington
#258North Carolina, USA
62.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$61,500
Cost Index
102
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
225/yr
Avg Temp
65.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
76
Business
70
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
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