City Comparison

Burlington vs Concord

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Burlington

Vermont
118
Above Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$51,098
Median Income

Concord

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

The Verdict

22.9%

Living in Concord costs 22.9% less than Burlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Burlington, you would need $61,017 in Concord.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
139
Burlington
89
Concord
Groceries
108
Burlington
97
Concord
Utilities
115
Burlington
97
Concord
Transportation
98
Burlington
92
Concord
Healthcare
116
Burlington
104
Concord

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $61,017 in Concord.

Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $92,188 in Burlington.

Living in Burlington vs Concord

Housing Costs

Burlington's housing index of 139 is higher Concord's 89, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $380,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $1,350/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 97 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $461/month in Concord. Concord offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 97 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington 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 116 in Burlington and 104 in Concord. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $51,098 in Burlington and $86,900 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 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 $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $2,028/month in Concord. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/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 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 22.9% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,017 in Concord, based on the cost of living difference.
Burlington's housing index is 139 with median homes at $380,000, while Concord's is 89 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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