Charleston vs Concord
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Charleston
Concord
The Verdict
Charleston is 25.2% less expensive than Concord overall. A household earning $75,000 in Charleston would need approximately $100,227 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 Charleston has the same purchasing power as $100,227 in Concord.
Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $56,122 in Charleston.
Living in Charleston vs Concord
Housing Costs
Charleston's housing index of 127 is lower Concord's 210, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $680,000. The $300,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,500 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Charleston compared to $2,350/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Charleston and 112 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Charleston vs $532/month in Concord. Charleston offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Charleston and 147 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Charleston 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 104 in Charleston and 121 in Concord. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $65,872 in Charleston and $109,000 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,884 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 $1,537/month to housing in Charleston vs $2,543/month in Concord. In Charleston, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 83 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases