City Comparison

Concord vs Rochester

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Rochester

Minnesota
94
Below Average
$345,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$91,500
Median Income

The Verdict

56.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 56.4%, with Rochester being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to $47,959 in Rochester.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
210
Concord
95
Rochester
Groceries
112
Concord
103
Rochester
Utilities
147
Concord
102
Rochester
Transportation
137
Concord
102
Rochester
Healthcare
121
Concord
104
Rochester

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $47,959 in Rochester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $117,287 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Rochester

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 210 is higher Rochester's 95, translating to median home prices of $680,000 vs $345,000. The $335,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,780 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,275/mo in Rochester, a monthly difference of $1,075.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 112 in Concord and 103 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Concord vs $489/month in Rochester. Rochester offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 147 in Concord and 102 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $588 in Concord vs $408 in Rochester. 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 104 in Rochester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $91,500 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,150 and $97,340 respectively. Rochester residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,543/month to housing in Concord vs $2,135/month in Rochester. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 115 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rochester is 56.4% more affordable overall with an index of 94 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $47,959 in Rochester, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 210 with median homes at $680,000, while Rochester's is 95 with median homes at $345,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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