High Point vs Tempe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
High Point
Tempe
The Verdict
Living in High Point costs 20.8% less than Tempe. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in High Point, you would need $94,643 in Tempe.
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 Tempe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $59,434 in High Point.
Living in High Point vs Tempe
Housing Costs
High Point's housing index of 61 is lower Tempe's 114, translating to median home prices of $249,000 vs $400,000. The $151,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,816 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in High Point compared to $1,600/mo in Tempe, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in High Point and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in High Point vs $475/month in Tempe. 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 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in High Point vs $384 in Tempe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 101 in High Point and 95 in Tempe. 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 $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,571 and $52,894 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 $1,308/month in Tempe. In High Point, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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