City Comparison

High Point vs Modesto

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

Modesto

California
112
Above Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$55,138
Median Income

The Verdict

25.0%

Living in High Point costs 25.0% less than Modesto. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in High Point, you would need $100,000 in Modesto.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
61
High Point
121
Modesto
Groceries
96
High Point
100
Modesto
Utilities
98
High Point
108
Modesto
Transportation
92
High Point
111
Modesto
Healthcare
101
High Point
100
Modesto

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in High Point has the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Modesto.

Conversely, $75,000 in Modesto equals $56,250 in High Point.

Living in High Point vs Modesto

Housing Costs

High Point's housing index of 61 is lower Modesto's 121, translating to median home prices of $249,000 vs $380,000. The $131,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in High Point compared to $1,400/mo in Modesto, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in High Point and 100 in Modesto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in High Point vs $475/month in Modesto. 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 108 in Modesto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in High Point vs $432 in Modesto. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in High Point and 100 in Modesto. 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 $55,138 in Modesto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,571 and $49,230 respectively. High Point residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,148/month to housing in High Point vs $1,287/month in Modesto. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

High Point is 25.0% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in High Point has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $100,000 in Modesto, based on the cost of living difference.
High Point's housing index is 61 with median homes at $249,000, while Modesto's is 121 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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