Champaign vs Concord
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Champaign
Concord
The Verdict
Living in Champaign costs 44.9% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $136,111 in Concord.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $136,111 in Concord.
Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $41,327 in Champaign.
Living in Champaign vs Concord
Housing Costs
Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Concord's 210, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $680,000. The $465,000 difference in home prices means roughly $30,228 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $2,350/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $1,250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 112 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $532/month in Concord. Champaign offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $792/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 147 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $588 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 90 in Champaign and 121 in Concord. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 31-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $109,000 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $74,150 respectively. Concord residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $2,543/month in Concord. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 127 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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