Birmingham vs Concord
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Birmingham
Concord
The Verdict
Birmingham is 13.0% less expensive than Concord overall. A household earning $75,000 in Birmingham would need approximately $86,207 in Concord to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has the same purchasing power as $86,207 in Concord.
Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $65,250 in Birmingham.
Living in Birmingham vs Concord
Housing Costs
Birmingham's housing index of 67 is lower Concord's 110, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $340,000. The $175,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Birmingham compared to $1,375/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Birmingham and 101 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Birmingham vs $480/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 110 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Birmingham vs $440 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 91 in Birmingham and 113 in Concord. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $84,900 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,883 and $84,900 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 $1,981/month in Concord. In Birmingham, median rent of $1,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Concord, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 43 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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