City Comparison

Concord vs Dayton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Dayton

Ohio
80
Very Affordable
$135,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$43,500
Median Income

The Verdict

20.0%

Living in Dayton costs 20.0% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $62,500 in Dayton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
46
Dayton
Groceries
97
Concord
98
Dayton
Utilities
97
Concord
109
Dayton
Transportation
92
Concord
100
Dayton
Healthcare
104
Concord
114
Dayton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $62,500 in Dayton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Dayton equals $90,000 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Dayton

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is higher Dayton's 46, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $135,000. The $245,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,924 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $900/mo in Dayton, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 98 in Dayton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $466/month in Dayton. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Concord and 109 in Dayton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $436 in Dayton. 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 114 in Dayton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $86,900 in Concord and $43,500 in Dayton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $54,375 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 $2,028/month to housing in Concord vs $1,015/month in Dayton. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Dayton, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 43 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dayton is 20.0% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 96.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,500 in Dayton, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Dayton's is 46 with median homes at $135,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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