City Comparison

Concord vs Olympia

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Olympia

Washington
112
Above Average
$495,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$81,300
Median Income

The Verdict

31.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 31.3%, with Olympia being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to $57,143 in Olympia.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
210
Concord
131
Olympia
Groceries
112
Concord
105
Olympia
Utilities
147
Concord
91
Olympia
Transportation
137
Concord
129
Olympia
Healthcare
121
Concord
124
Olympia

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $57,143 in Olympia.

Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $98,438 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Olympia

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 210 is higher Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $680,000 vs $495,000. The $185,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,024 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,600/mo in Olympia, a monthly difference of $750.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 112 in Concord and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Concord vs $499/month in Olympia. Olympia offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 147 in Concord and 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $588 in Concord vs $364 in Olympia. 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 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $109,000 in Concord and $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,150 and $72,589 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 $1,897/month in Olympia. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 79 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Olympia is 31.3% more affordable overall with an index of 112 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $57,143 in Olympia, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 210 with median homes at $680,000, while Olympia's is 131 with median homes at $495,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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