City Comparison

Baltimore vs Concord

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Baltimore

Maryland
106
Above Average
$200,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$52,164
Median Income

Concord

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

The Verdict

10.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 10.4%, with Concord being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Baltimore has equivalent purchasing power to $67,925 in Concord.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
107
Baltimore
89
Concord
Groceries
103
Baltimore
97
Concord
Utilities
110
Baltimore
97
Concord
Transportation
106
Baltimore
92
Concord
Healthcare
101
Baltimore
104
Concord

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Baltimore has the same purchasing power as $67,925 in Concord.

Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $82,813 in Baltimore.

Living in Baltimore vs Concord

Housing Costs

Baltimore's housing index of 107 is higher Concord's 89, translating to median home prices of $200,000 vs $380,000. The $180,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,700 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Baltimore compared to $1,350/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Baltimore and 97 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Baltimore vs $461/month in Concord. Concord offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 110 in Baltimore and 97 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Baltimore vs $388 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 101 in Baltimore 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 $52,164 in Baltimore and $86,900 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,211 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 $1,217/month to housing in Baltimore vs $2,028/month in Concord. In Baltimore, median rent of $1,300/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 10.4% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Baltimore has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,925 in Concord, based on the cost of living difference.
Baltimore's housing index is 107 with median homes at $200,000, while Concord's is 89 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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