City Comparison

High Point vs North Charleston

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

North Charleston

South Carolina
102
Average
$347,000
Median Home
$1,525/mo
Median Rent
$61,400
Median Income

The Verdict

17.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 17.6%, with High Point being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in High Point has equivalent purchasing power to $91,071 in North Charleston.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
61
High Point
102
North Charleston
Groceries
96
High Point
101
North Charleston
Utilities
98
High Point
120
North Charleston
Transportation
92
High Point
91
North Charleston
Healthcare
101
High Point
86
North Charleston

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in High Point has the same purchasing power as $91,071 in North Charleston.

Conversely, $75,000 in North Charleston equals $61,765 in High Point.

Living in High Point vs North Charleston

Housing Costs

High Point's housing index of 61 is lower North Charleston's 102, translating to median home prices of $249,000 vs $347,000. The $98,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,372 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in High Point compared to $1,525/mo in North Charleston, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in High Point and 101 in North Charleston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in High Point vs $480/month in North Charleston. 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 120 in North Charleston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in High Point vs $480 in North Charleston. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in High Point and 86 in North Charleston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $61,400 in North Charleston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,571 and $60,196 respectively. North Charleston 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 $1,433/month in North Charleston. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In North Charleston, median rent of $1,525/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

High Point is 17.6% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 102.
A $75,000 salary in High Point has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,071 in North Charleston, based on the cost of living difference.
High Point's housing index is 61 with median homes at $249,000, while North Charleston's is 102 with median homes at $347,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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