City Comparison

Concord vs North Charleston

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

North Charleston

South Carolina
102
Average
$347,000
Median Home
$1,525/mo
Median Rent
$61,400
Median Income

The Verdict

44.1%

Living in North Charleston costs 44.1% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $52,041 in North Charleston.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
210
Concord
102
North Charleston
Groceries
112
Concord
101
North Charleston
Utilities
147
Concord
120
North Charleston
Transportation
137
Concord
91
North Charleston
Healthcare
121
Concord
86
North Charleston

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $52,041 in North Charleston.

Conversely, $75,000 in North Charleston equals $108,088 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs North Charleston

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 210 is higher North Charleston's 102, translating to median home prices of $680,000 vs $347,000. The $333,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,648 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,525/mo in North Charleston, a monthly difference of $825.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 112 in Concord and 101 in North Charleston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Concord vs $480/month in North Charleston. North Charleston 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 120 in North Charleston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $588 in Concord vs $480 in North Charleston. 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 86 in North Charleston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 35-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 $61,400 in North Charleston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,150 and $60,196 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 $1,433/month in North Charleston. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In North Charleston, median rent of $1,525/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 108 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

North Charleston is 44.1% more affordable overall with an index of 102 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $52,041 in North Charleston, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 210 with median homes at $680,000, while North Charleston's is 102 with median homes at $347,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases