City Comparison

High Point vs Surprise

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

Surprise

Arizona
103
Average
$419,000
Median Home
$1,575/mo
Median Rent
$85,500
Median Income

The Verdict

18.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.4%, with High Point being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in High Point has equivalent purchasing power to $91,964 in Surprise.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
61
High Point
105
Surprise
Groceries
96
High Point
100
Surprise
Utilities
98
High Point
102
Surprise
Transportation
92
High Point
106
Surprise
Healthcare
101
High Point
97
Surprise

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in High Point has the same purchasing power as $91,964 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $61,165 in High Point.

Living in High Point vs Surprise

Housing Costs

High Point's housing index of 61 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $249,000 vs $419,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in High Point compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in High Point and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in High Point vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in High Point vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in High Point and 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,571 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 44 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

High Point is 18.4% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in High Point has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,964 in Surprise, based on the cost of living difference.
High Point's housing index is 61 with median homes at $249,000, while Surprise's is 105 with median homes at $419,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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