City Comparison

Concord vs Duluth

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Duluth

Minnesota
85
Very Affordable
$268,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$68,800
Median Income

The Verdict

12.9%

Duluth is 12.9% less expensive than Concord overall. A household earning $75,000 in Concord would need approximately $66,406 in Duluth to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
88
Duluth
Groceries
97
Concord
99
Duluth
Utilities
97
Concord
94
Duluth
Transportation
92
Concord
100
Duluth
Healthcare
104
Concord
123
Duluth

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $66,406 in Duluth.

Conversely, $75,000 in Duluth equals $84,706 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Duluth

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is higher Duluth's 88, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $268,000. The $112,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,284 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,025/mo in Duluth, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 99 in Duluth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $470/month in Duluth. 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 94 in Duluth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $376 in Duluth. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Concord and 123 in Duluth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $68,800 in Duluth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $80,941 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 $1,605/month in Duluth. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Duluth is 12.9% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 96.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,406 in Duluth, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Duluth's is 88 with median homes at $268,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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