City Comparison

Concord vs Cranston

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

North Carolina
96
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$86,900
Median Income

Cranston

Rhode Island
109
Above Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$90,200
Median Income

The Verdict

11.9%

Concord is 11.9% less expensive than Cranston overall. A household earning $75,000 in Concord would need approximately $85,156 in Cranston to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
135
Cranston
Groceries
97
Concord
103
Cranston
Utilities
97
Concord
113
Cranston
Transportation
92
Concord
93
Cranston
Healthcare
104
Concord
110
Cranston

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $85,156 in Cranston.

Conversely, $75,000 in Cranston equals $66,055 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Cranston

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is lower Cranston's 135, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $395,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,375/mo in Cranston, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 103 in Cranston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $489/month in Cranston. Concord offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Concord and 113 in Cranston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $452 in Cranston. 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 104 in Concord and 110 in Cranston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $86,900 in Concord and $90,200 in Cranston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $82,752 respectively. Concord residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,028/month to housing in Concord vs $2,105/month in Cranston. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 11.9% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $85,156 in Cranston, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Cranston's is 135 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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