City Comparison

Allentown vs Concord

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania
98
Average
$232,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$55,500
Median Income

Concord

North Carolina
96
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$86,900
Median Income

The Verdict

2.1%

Concord is 2.1% less expensive than Allentown overall. A household earning $75,000 in Allentown would need approximately $73,469 in Concord to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
109
Allentown
89
Concord
Groceries
101
Allentown
97
Concord
Utilities
102
Allentown
97
Concord
Transportation
103
Allentown
92
Concord
Healthcare
83
Allentown
104
Concord

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $73,469 in Concord.

Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $76,563 in Allentown.

Living in Allentown vs Concord

Housing Costs

Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher Concord's 89, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $380,000. The $148,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,624 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $1,350/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 97 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $461/month in Concord. 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 102 in Allentown and 97 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $388 in Concord. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 104 in Concord. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,500 in Allentown and $86,900 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $90,521 respectively. Concord residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Allentown vs $2,028/month in Concord. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 2.1% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,469 in Concord, based on the cost of living difference.
Allentown's housing index is 109 with median homes at $232,000, while Concord's is 89 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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