City Comparison

High Point vs Joliet

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

Joliet

Illinois
95
Below Average
$275,000
Median Home
$1,325/mo
Median Rent
$88,000
Median Income

The Verdict

11.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 11.6%, with High Point being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in High Point has equivalent purchasing power to $84,821 in Joliet.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
61
High Point
85
Joliet
Groceries
96
High Point
101
Joliet
Utilities
98
High Point
94
Joliet
Transportation
92
High Point
108
Joliet
Healthcare
101
High Point
102
Joliet

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in High Point has the same purchasing power as $84,821 in Joliet.

Conversely, $75,000 in Joliet equals $66,316 in High Point.

Living in High Point vs Joliet

Housing Costs

High Point's housing index of 61 is lower Joliet's 85, translating to median home prices of $249,000 vs $275,000. The $26,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,692 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in High Point compared to $1,325/mo in Joliet, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in High Point and 101 in Joliet. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in High Point vs $480/month in Joliet. 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 94 in Joliet. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in High Point vs $376 in Joliet. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in High Point and 102 in Joliet. 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 $88,000 in Joliet. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,571 and $92,632 respectively. Joliet 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 $2,053/month in Joliet. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

High Point is 11.6% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in High Point has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $84,821 in Joliet, based on the cost of living difference.
High Point's housing index is 61 with median homes at $249,000, while Joliet's is 85 with median homes at $275,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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