City Comparison

Concord vs St. Paul

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

St. Paul

Minnesota
100
Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$57,718
Median Income

The Verdict

47.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 47.0%, with St. Paul being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to $51,020 in St. Paul.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
210
Concord
98
St. Paul
Groceries
112
Concord
103
St. Paul
Utilities
147
Concord
97
St. Paul
Transportation
137
Concord
108
St. Paul
Healthcare
121
Concord
105
St. Paul

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $51,020 in St. Paul.

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $110,250 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs St. Paul

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 210 is higher St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $680,000 vs $260,000. The $420,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,300 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $1,050.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 112 in Concord and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Concord vs $489/month in St. Paul. St. Paul 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 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $588 in Concord vs $388 in St. Paul. 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 St. Paul. 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 $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,150 and $57,718 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 $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 112 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul is 47.0% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $51,020 in St. Paul, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 210 with median homes at $680,000, while St. Paul's is 98 with median homes at $260,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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