City Comparison

Arlington vs Concord

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

Virginia
164
Very Expensive
$740,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$145,000
Median Income

Concord

California
147
Expensive
$680,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$109,000
Median Income

The Verdict

11.6%

Living in Concord costs 11.6% less than Arlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $67,226 in Concord.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Arlington
210
Concord
Groceries
106
Arlington
112
Concord
Utilities
102
Arlington
147
Concord
Transportation
107
Arlington
137
Concord
Healthcare
117
Arlington
121
Concord

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $67,226 in Concord.

Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $83,673 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Concord

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Concord's 210, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $680,000. The $60,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $2,350/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 112 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $532/month in Concord. Arlington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 147 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $588 in Concord. 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 117 in Arlington and 121 in Concord. 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 $145,000 in Arlington and $109,000 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $74,150 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $2,543/month in Concord. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 11.6% more affordable overall with an index of 147 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,226 in Concord, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while Concord's is 210 with median homes at $680,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases