High Point vs Philadelphia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
High Point
Philadelphia
The Verdict
High Point is 20.8% less expensive than Philadelphia overall. A household earning $75,000 in High Point would need approximately $94,643 in Philadelphia to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in High Point has the same purchasing power as $94,643 in Philadelphia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Philadelphia equals $59,434 in High Point.
Living in High Point vs Philadelphia
Housing Costs
High Point's housing index of 61 is lower Philadelphia's 107, translating to median home prices of $249,000 vs $240,000. The $9,000 difference in home prices means roughly $588 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 Philadelphia, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in High Point and 104 in Philadelphia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in High Point vs $494/month in Philadelphia. High Point offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in High Point and 113 in Philadelphia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in High Point vs $452 in Philadelphia. 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 101 in Philadelphia. 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 $49,127 in Philadelphia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,571 and $46,346 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 $1,146/month in Philadelphia. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Philadelphia, 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 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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