City Comparison

Arlington vs High Point

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

Virginia
164
Very Expensive
$740,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$145,000
Median Income

High Point

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

The Verdict

95.2%

High Point is 95.2% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $38,415 in High Point to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Arlington
61
High Point
Groceries
106
Arlington
96
High Point
Utilities
102
Arlington
98
High Point
Transportation
107
Arlington
92
High Point
Healthcare
117
Arlington
101
High Point

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $38,415 in High Point.

Conversely, $75,000 in High Point equals $146,429 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs High Point

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher High Point's 61, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $249,000. The $491,000 difference in home prices means roughly $31,920 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,075/mo in High Point, a monthly difference of $1,275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 96 in High Point. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $456/month in High Point. High Point offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 98 in High Point. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $392 in High Point. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 101 in High Point. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $49,200 in High Point. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $58,571 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,148/month in High Point. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. 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 188 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

High Point is 95.2% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $38,415 in High Point, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while High Point's is 61 with median homes at $249,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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