City Comparison

Albany vs High Point

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Albany

New York
99
Average
$220,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$43,098
Median Income

High Point

North Carolina
84
Very Affordable
$249,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$49,200
Median Income

The Verdict

17.9%

Living in High Point costs 17.9% less than Albany. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Albany, you would need $63,636 in High Point.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
93
Albany
61
High Point
Groceries
102
Albany
96
High Point
Utilities
107
Albany
98
High Point
Transportation
101
Albany
92
High Point
Healthcare
100
Albany
101
High Point

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Albany has the same purchasing power as $63,636 in High Point.

Conversely, $75,000 in High Point equals $88,393 in Albany.

Living in Albany vs High Point

Housing Costs

Albany's housing index of 93 is higher High Point's 61, translating to median home prices of $220,000 vs $249,000. The $29,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,884 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Albany compared to $1,075/mo in High Point, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Albany and 96 in High Point. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Albany vs $456/month in High Point. High Point offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Albany and 98 in High Point. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Albany vs $392 in High Point. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Albany and 101 in High Point. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $43,098 in Albany and $49,200 in High Point. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,533 and $58,571 respectively. High Point residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,006/month to housing in Albany vs $1,148/month in High Point. In Albany, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

High Point is 17.9% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 99.
A $75,000 salary in Albany has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,636 in High Point, based on the cost of living difference.
Albany's housing index is 93 with median homes at $220,000, while High Point's is 61 with median homes at $249,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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