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

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

The Verdict

70.8%

Concord is 70.8% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $43,902 in Concord to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Arlington
89
Concord
Groceries
106
Arlington
97
Concord
Utilities
102
Arlington
97
Concord
Transportation
107
Arlington
92
Concord
Healthcare
117
Arlington
104
Concord

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $43,902 in Concord.

Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $128,125 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Concord

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Concord's 89, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $380,000. The $360,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,400 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,350/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $1,000.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 97 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $461/month in Concord. Concord offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 97 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $388 in Concord. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 104 in Concord. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $86,900 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 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 $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $2,028/month in Concord. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 Housing, where the gap is 160 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 70.8% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $43,902 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 89 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases