Concord vs Lakewood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Concord
Lakewood
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 10.5%, with Lakewood being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to $67,857 in Lakewood.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $67,857 in Lakewood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $82,895 in Concord.
Living in Concord vs Lakewood
Housing Costs
Concord's housing index of 210 is higher Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $680,000 vs $574,000. The $106,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,888 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 112 in Concord and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Concord vs $480/month in Lakewood. Lakewood offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 147 in Concord and 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $588 in Concord vs $340 in Lakewood. 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 84 in Lakewood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 37-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 $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,150 and $63,008 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 $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 62 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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