City Comparison

Athens vs Concord

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Athens

Georgia
88
Below Average
$307,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$56,700
Median Income

Concord

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

The Verdict

8.3%

Living in Athens costs 8.3% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Athens, you would need $81,818 in Concord.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
78
Athens
89
Concord
Groceries
101
Athens
97
Concord
Utilities
101
Athens
97
Concord
Transportation
96
Athens
92
Concord
Healthcare
97
Athens
104
Concord

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Athens has the same purchasing power as $81,818 in Concord.

Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $68,750 in Athens.

Living in Athens vs Concord

Housing Costs

Athens's housing index of 78 is lower Concord's 89, translating to median home prices of $307,000 vs $380,000. The $73,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,740 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Athens compared to $1,350/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Athens and 97 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Athens 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 101 in Athens and 97 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Athens vs $388 in Concord. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Athens and 104 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 $56,700 in Athens and $86,900 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,432 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 $1,323/month to housing in Athens vs $2,028/month in Concord. In Athens, median rent of $1,200/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 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Athens is 8.3% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 96.
A $75,000 salary in Athens has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,818 in Concord, based on the cost of living difference.
Athens's housing index is 78 with median homes at $307,000, while Concord's is 89 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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