City Comparison

Concord vs Erie

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Erie

Pennsylvania
81
Very Affordable
$165,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$43,400
Median Income

The Verdict

18.5%

Erie is 18.5% less expensive than Concord overall. A household earning $75,000 in Concord would need approximately $63,281 in Erie to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
55
Erie
Groceries
97
Concord
97
Erie
Utilities
97
Concord
109
Erie
Transportation
92
Concord
113
Erie
Healthcare
104
Concord
89
Erie

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $63,281 in Erie.

Conversely, $75,000 in Erie equals $88,889 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Erie

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is higher Erie's 55, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $165,000. The $215,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,980 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $925/mo in Erie, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 97 in Erie. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $461/month in Erie. 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 Erie. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $436 in Erie. 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 89 in Erie. 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 $86,900 in Concord and $43,400 in Erie. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $53,580 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 $1,013/month in Erie. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Erie, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Erie is 18.5% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 96.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,281 in Erie, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Erie's is 55 with median homes at $165,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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