City Comparison

High Point vs Norfolk

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

Norfolk

Virginia
99
Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$51,938
Median Income

The Verdict

15.2%

Living in High Point costs 15.2% less than Norfolk. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in High Point, you would need $88,393 in Norfolk.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
61
High Point
95
Norfolk
Groceries
96
High Point
99
Norfolk
Utilities
98
High Point
97
Norfolk
Transportation
92
High Point
100
Norfolk
Healthcare
101
High Point
99
Norfolk

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in High Point has the same purchasing power as $88,393 in Norfolk.

Conversely, $75,000 in Norfolk equals $63,636 in High Point.

Living in High Point vs Norfolk

Housing Costs

High Point's housing index of 61 is lower Norfolk's 95, translating to median home prices of $249,000 vs $250,000. The $1,000 difference in home prices means roughly $60 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in High Point compared to $1,300/mo in Norfolk, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in High Point and 99 in Norfolk. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in High Point vs $470/month in Norfolk. 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 Norfolk. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in High Point vs $388 in Norfolk. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in High Point and 99 in Norfolk. 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 $51,938 in Norfolk. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,571 and $52,463 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 $1,212/month in Norfolk. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Norfolk, median rent of $1,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

High Point is 15.2% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 99.
A $75,000 salary in High Point has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,393 in Norfolk, based on the cost of living difference.
High Point's housing index is 61 with median homes at $249,000, while Norfolk's is 95 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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