City Comparison

Concord vs Elk Grove

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Elk Grove

California
144
Expensive
$608,000
Median Home
$1,975/mo
Median Rent
$123,200
Median Income

The Verdict

2.1%

Living in Elk Grove costs 2.1% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $73,469 in Elk Grove.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
210
Concord
221
Elk Grove
Groceries
112
Concord
106
Elk Grove
Utilities
147
Concord
115
Elk Grove
Transportation
137
Concord
118
Elk Grove
Healthcare
121
Concord
103
Elk Grove

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $73,469 in Elk Grove.

Conversely, $75,000 in Elk Grove equals $76,563 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Elk Grove

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 210 is lower Elk Grove's 221, translating to median home prices of $680,000 vs $608,000. The $72,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,680 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,975/mo in Elk Grove, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 112 in Concord and 106 in Elk Grove. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Concord vs $504/month in Elk Grove. Elk Grove offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 147 in Concord and 115 in Elk Grove. Monthly utility bills average approximately $588 in Concord vs $460 in Elk Grove. 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 121 in Concord and 103 in Elk Grove. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $109,000 in Concord and $123,200 in Elk Grove. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,150 and $85,556 respectively. Elk Grove residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,543/month to housing in Concord vs $2,875/month in Elk Grove. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Elk Grove, median rent of $1,975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Elk Grove is 2.1% more affordable overall with an index of 144 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,469 in Elk Grove, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 210 with median homes at $680,000, while Elk Grove's is 221 with median homes at $608,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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