City Comparison

High Point vs Milwaukee

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

Milwaukee

Wisconsin
92
Below Average
$175,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$44,044
Median Income

The Verdict

8.7%

Living in High Point costs 8.7% less than Milwaukee. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in High Point, you would need $82,143 in Milwaukee.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
61
High Point
80
Milwaukee
Groceries
96
High Point
100
Milwaukee
Utilities
98
High Point
97
Milwaukee
Transportation
92
High Point
103
Milwaukee
Healthcare
101
High Point
102
Milwaukee

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in High Point has the same purchasing power as $82,143 in Milwaukee.

Conversely, $75,000 in Milwaukee equals $68,478 in High Point.

Living in High Point vs Milwaukee

Housing Costs

High Point's housing index of 61 is lower Milwaukee's 80, translating to median home prices of $249,000 vs $175,000. The $74,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,812 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in High Point compared to $1,100/mo in Milwaukee, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in High Point and 100 in Milwaukee. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in High Point vs $475/month in Milwaukee. 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 97 in Milwaukee. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in High Point vs $388 in Milwaukee. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in High Point and 102 in Milwaukee. 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 $44,044 in Milwaukee. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,571 and $47,874 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 $1,028/month in Milwaukee. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Milwaukee, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

High Point is 8.7% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in High Point has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,143 in Milwaukee, based on the cost of living difference.
High Point's housing index is 61 with median homes at $249,000, while Milwaukee's is 80 with median homes at $175,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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