City Comparison

High Point vs Memphis

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

Memphis

Tennessee
84
Very Affordable
$155,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$41,228
Median Income

The Verdict

0.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 0.0%, with High Point being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in High Point has equivalent purchasing power to $75,000 in Memphis.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
61
High Point
63
Memphis
Groceries
96
High Point
93
Memphis
Utilities
98
High Point
88
Memphis
Transportation
92
High Point
98
Memphis
Healthcare
101
High Point
92
Memphis

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in Memphis equals $75,000 in High Point.

Living in High Point vs Memphis

Housing Costs

High Point's housing index of 61 is lower Memphis's 63, translating to median home prices of $249,000 vs $155,000. The $94,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,108 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in High Point compared to $1,000/mo in Memphis, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in High Point and 93 in Memphis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in High Point vs $442/month in Memphis. 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 88 in Memphis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in High Point vs $352 in Memphis. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in High Point and 92 in Memphis. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $49,200 in High Point and $41,228 in Memphis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,571 and $49,081 respectively. High Point residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,148/month to housing in High Point vs $962/month in Memphis. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Memphis, median rent of $1,000/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

High Point is 0.0% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in High Point has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,000 in Memphis, based on the cost of living difference.
High Point's housing index is 61 with median homes at $249,000, while Memphis's is 63 with median homes at $155,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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