City Comparison

Chesapeake vs Concord

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Chesapeake

Virginia
104
Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,550/mo
Median Rent
$94,200
Median Income

Concord

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

The Verdict

8.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.3%, with Concord being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Chesapeake has equivalent purchasing power to $69,231 in Concord.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
120
Chesapeake
89
Concord
Groceries
102
Chesapeake
97
Concord
Utilities
105
Chesapeake
97
Concord
Transportation
100
Chesapeake
92
Concord
Healthcare
97
Chesapeake
104
Concord

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Chesapeake has the same purchasing power as $69,231 in Concord.

Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $81,250 in Chesapeake.

Living in Chesapeake vs Concord

Housing Costs

Chesapeake's housing index of 120 is higher Concord's 89, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $380,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,550/mo in Chesapeake compared to $1,350/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Chesapeake and 97 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Chesapeake vs $461/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 105 in Chesapeake and 97 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Chesapeake vs $388 in Concord. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Chesapeake and 104 in Concord. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $94,200 in Chesapeake and $86,900 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,577 and $90,521 respectively. Chesapeake residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,198/month to housing in Chesapeake vs $2,028/month in Concord. In Chesapeake, median rent of $1,550/mo fits within this budget. 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 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 8.3% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Chesapeake has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,231 in Concord, based on the cost of living difference.
Chesapeake's housing index is 120 with median homes at $385,000, while Concord's is 89 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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