City Comparison

Concord vs Roanoke

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Roanoke

Virginia
81
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$52,700
Median Income

The Verdict

81.5%

Living in Roanoke costs 81.5% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $41,327 in Roanoke.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
210
Concord
57
Roanoke
Groceries
112
Concord
97
Roanoke
Utilities
147
Concord
116
Roanoke
Transportation
137
Concord
98
Roanoke
Healthcare
121
Concord
91
Roanoke

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $41,327 in Roanoke.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $136,111 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Roanoke

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 210 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $680,000 vs $225,000. The $455,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,580 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $1,275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 112 in Concord and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Concord vs $461/month in Roanoke. Roanoke offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 147 in Concord and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $588 in Concord vs $464 in Roanoke. 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 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 30-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 $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,150 and $65,062 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 $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 153 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Roanoke is 81.5% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $41,327 in Roanoke, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 210 with median homes at $680,000, while Roanoke's is 57 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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