City Comparison

High Point vs Johnson City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

High Point

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

Johnson City

Tennessee
85
Very Affordable
$276,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

The Verdict

1.2%

High Point is 1.2% less expensive than Johnson City overall. A household earning $75,000 in High Point would need approximately $75,893 in Johnson City to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
61
High Point
66
Johnson City
Groceries
96
High Point
95
Johnson City
Utilities
98
High Point
95
Johnson City
Transportation
92
High Point
88
Johnson City
Healthcare
101
High Point
94
Johnson City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in High Point has the same purchasing power as $75,893 in Johnson City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Johnson City equals $74,118 in High Point.

Living in High Point vs Johnson City

Housing Costs

High Point's housing index of 61 is lower Johnson City's 66, translating to median home prices of $249,000 vs $276,000. The $27,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,752 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in High Point compared to $1,025/mo in Johnson City, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in High Point and 95 in Johnson City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in High Point vs $451/month in Johnson City. 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 98 in High Point and 95 in Johnson City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in High Point vs $380 in Johnson City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in High Point and 94 in Johnson City. 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 $49,200 in High Point and $55,400 in Johnson City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,571 and $65,176 respectively. Johnson City residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,148/month to housing in High Point vs $1,293/month in Johnson City. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 7 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

High Point is 1.2% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 85.
A $75,000 salary in High Point has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,893 in Johnson City, based on the cost of living difference.
High Point's housing index is 61 with median homes at $249,000, while Johnson City's is 66 with median homes at $276,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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