City Comparison

Champaign vs Concord

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Champaign

Illinois
81
Very Affordable
$215,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$56,100
Median Income

Concord

California
147
Expensive
$680,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$109,000
Median Income

The Verdict

44.9%

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

Housing
83
Champaign
210
Concord
Groceries
98
Champaign
112
Concord
Utilities
106
Champaign
147
Concord
Transportation
99
Champaign
137
Concord
Healthcare
90
Champaign
121
Concord

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

Champaign is 44.9% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $136,111 in Concord, based on the cost of living difference.
Champaign's housing index is 83 with median homes at $215,000, while Concord's is 210 with median homes at $680,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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