City Comparison

Concord vs Flagstaff

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Flagstaff

Arizona
116
Above Average
$655,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$68,000
Median Income

The Verdict

17.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 17.2%, with Concord being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to $90,625 in Flagstaff.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
178
Flagstaff
Groceries
97
Concord
102
Flagstaff
Utilities
97
Concord
92
Flagstaff
Transportation
92
Concord
109
Flagstaff
Healthcare
104
Concord
102
Flagstaff

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $90,625 in Flagstaff.

Conversely, $75,000 in Flagstaff equals $62,069 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Flagstaff

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is lower Flagstaff's 178, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $655,000. The $275,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,880 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,750/mo in Flagstaff, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 102 in Flagstaff. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $485/month in Flagstaff. 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 92 in Flagstaff. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $368 in Flagstaff. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Concord and 102 in Flagstaff. 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 $68,000 in Flagstaff. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $58,621 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 $1,587/month in Flagstaff. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Flagstaff, median rent of $1,750/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 89 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 17.2% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 116.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $90,625 in Flagstaff, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Flagstaff's is 178 with median homes at $655,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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