City Comparison

Concord vs Fayetteville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Fayetteville

North Carolina
81
Very Affordable
$213,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$49,800
Median Income

The Verdict

18.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.5%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to $63,281 in Fayetteville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
52
Fayetteville
Groceries
97
Concord
94
Fayetteville
Utilities
97
Concord
98
Fayetteville
Transportation
92
Concord
77
Fayetteville
Healthcare
104
Concord
106
Fayetteville

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Concord vs Fayetteville

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is higher Fayetteville's 52, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $213,000. The $167,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,860 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,075/mo in Fayetteville, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 94 in Fayetteville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $447/month in Fayetteville. 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 98 in Fayetteville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $392 in Fayetteville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Concord and 106 in Fayetteville. 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 $49,800 in Fayetteville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $61,481 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 $1,162/month in Fayetteville. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Fayetteville's is 52 with median homes at $213,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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