Median rent is 42% lower in High Point ($1,116/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in High Point, where the median home runs $235,800 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $64,561 a year). Taken together, High Point is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.8 against 114.7 — about 19% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Los Angeles, CA.
Cost of living verdict
High Point is 19% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 92.8 in High Point vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
High Point, NC
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from High Point, NC?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$92,788
You'd need $17,788 more (24% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
High Point
North Carolina
Los Angeles
California
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in High Point — median rent of $1,116/mo versus $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 42% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $235,800 in High Point — 74% more expensive.
Metric
High Point
Los Angeles
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
High Point
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for High Point.
Pick High Point if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 92.8 vs 114.7).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,939/yr).
Pick High Point if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,116/mo median).
High Point is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.8 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 19% lower in High Point.
Median rent is $1,116/mo in High Point, NC and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. High Point, NC has the lower rent by about 42%.
Median household income is $64,561 in High Point, NC and $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in High Point, NC is equivalent to roughly $123,717 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
