Concord vs Madison
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Concord
Madison
The Verdict
Madison is 38.7% less expensive than Concord overall. A household earning $75,000 in Concord would need approximately $54,082 in Madison 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 Concord has the same purchasing power as $54,082 in Madison.
Conversely, $75,000 in Madison equals $104,009 in Concord.
Living in Concord vs Madison
Housing Costs
Concord's housing index of 210 is higher Madison's 115, translating to median home prices of $680,000 vs $340,000. The $340,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,104 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,400/mo in Madison, a monthly difference of $950.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 112 in Concord and 101 in Madison. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Concord vs $480/month in Madison. Madison 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 97 in Madison. Monthly utility bills average approximately $588 in Concord vs $388 in Madison. 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 105 in Madison. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $67,565 in Madison. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,150 and $63,741 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 $1,577/month in Madison. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 95 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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