City Comparison

Champaign vs High Point

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Champaign

Illinois
81
Very Affordable
$215,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$56,100
Median Income

High Point

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

The Verdict

3.6%

Champaign is 3.6% less expensive than High Point overall. A household earning $75,000 in Champaign would need approximately $77,778 in High Point to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Champaign
61
High Point
Groceries
98
Champaign
96
High Point
Utilities
106
Champaign
98
High Point
Transportation
99
Champaign
92
High Point
Healthcare
90
Champaign
101
High Point

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $77,778 in High Point.

Conversely, $75,000 in High Point equals $72,321 in Champaign.

Living in Champaign vs High Point

Housing Costs

Champaign's housing index of 83 is higher High Point's 61, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $249,000. The $34,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,208 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,075/mo in High Point, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 96 in High Point. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $456/month in High Point. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 98 in High Point. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $392 in High Point. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 101 in High Point. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $49,200 in High Point. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $58,571 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,148/month in High Point. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/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 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Champaign is 3.6% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,778 in High Point, based on the cost of living difference.
Champaign's housing index is 83 with median homes at $215,000, while High Point's is 61 with median homes at $249,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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