City Comparison

Concord vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Wilmington

North Carolina
103
Average
$320,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$48,432
Median Income

The Verdict

42.7%

Living in Wilmington costs 42.7% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $52,551 in Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
210
Concord
108
Wilmington
Groceries
112
Concord
101
Wilmington
Utilities
147
Concord
94
Wilmington
Transportation
137
Concord
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
121
Concord
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Concord vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 210 is higher Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $680,000 vs $320,000. The $360,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,400 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $950.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 112 in Concord and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $532/month in Concord vs $480/month in Wilmington. Wilmington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 147 in Concord and 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $588 in Concord vs $376 in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $74,150 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 102 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington 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 Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 210 with median homes at $680,000, while Wilmington's is 108 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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