City Comparison

Concord vs Surprise

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Surprise

Arizona
103
Average
$419,000
Median Home
$1,575/mo
Median Rent
$85,500
Median Income

The Verdict

42.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 42.7%, with Surprise being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to $52,551 in Surprise.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
210
Concord
105
Surprise
Groceries
112
Concord
100
Surprise
Utilities
147
Concord
102
Surprise
Transportation
137
Concord
106
Surprise
Healthcare
121
Concord
97
Surprise

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $52,551 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $107,039 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Surprise

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 210 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $680,000 vs $419,000. The $261,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,968 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $775.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 112 in Concord and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Concord vs $475/month in Surprise. Surprise offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 147 in Concord and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $588 in Concord vs $408 in Surprise. 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 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,150 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 105 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Surprise is 42.7% more affordable overall with an index of 103 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $52,551 in Surprise, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 210 with median homes at $680,000, while Surprise's is 105 with median homes at $419,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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