City Comparison

Concord vs Irvine

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Irvine

California
178
Very Expensive
$1.1M
Median Home
$3,000/mo
Median Rent
$108,038
Median Income

The Verdict

17.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 17.4%, with Concord being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to $90,816 in Irvine.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
210
Concord
294
Irvine
Groceries
112
Concord
108
Irvine
Utilities
147
Concord
115
Irvine
Transportation
137
Concord
115
Irvine
Healthcare
121
Concord
109
Irvine

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $90,816 in Irvine.

Conversely, $75,000 in Irvine equals $61,938 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Irvine

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 210 is lower Irvine's 294, translating to median home prices of $680,000 vs $1.1M. The $370,000 difference in home prices means roughly $24,048 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Concord compared to $3,000/mo in Irvine, a monthly difference of $650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 112 in Concord and 108 in Irvine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Concord vs $513/month in Irvine. 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 147 in Concord and 115 in Irvine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $588 in Concord vs $460 in Irvine. 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 109 in Irvine. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $108,038 in Irvine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,150 and $60,696 respectively. Concord residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,543/month to housing in Concord vs $2,521/month in Irvine. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Irvine, median rent of $3,000/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 84 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 17.4% more affordable overall with an index of 147 vs 178.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $90,816 in Irvine, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 210 with median homes at $680,000, while Irvine's is 294 with median homes at $1.1M.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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