City Comparison

Birmingham vs Concord

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Birmingham

Alabama
87
Below Average
$165,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$38,178
Median Income

Concord

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

The Verdict

9.4%

Living in Birmingham costs 9.4% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Birmingham, you would need $82,759 in Concord.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
67
Birmingham
89
Concord
Groceries
96
Birmingham
97
Concord
Utilities
92
Birmingham
97
Concord
Transportation
99
Birmingham
92
Concord
Healthcare
91
Birmingham
104
Concord

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has the same purchasing power as $82,759 in Concord.

Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $67,969 in Birmingham.

Living in Birmingham vs Concord

Housing Costs

Birmingham's housing index of 67 is lower Concord's 89, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $380,000. The $215,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,980 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Birmingham compared to $1,350/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Birmingham and 97 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Birmingham 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 92 in Birmingham and 97 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Birmingham vs $388 in Concord. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Birmingham 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 $38,178 in Birmingham and $86,900 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,883 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 $891/month to housing in Birmingham vs $2,028/month in Concord. In Birmingham, median rent of $1,000/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 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Birmingham is 9.4% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 96.
A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,759 in Concord, based on the cost of living difference.
Birmingham's housing index is 67 with median homes at $165,000, while Concord's is 89 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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