City Comparison

Concord vs Fort Collins

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Fort Collins

Colorado
116
Above Average
$531,000
Median Home
$1,625/mo
Median Rent
$74,800
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 Fort Collins.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
142
Fort Collins
Groceries
97
Concord
100
Fort Collins
Utilities
97
Concord
87
Fort Collins
Transportation
92
Concord
108
Fort Collins
Healthcare
104
Concord
97
Fort Collins

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Collins equals $62,069 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Fort Collins

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is lower Fort Collins's 142, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $531,000. The $151,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,816 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,625/mo in Fort Collins, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 100 in Fort Collins. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $475/month in Fort Collins. 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 87 in Fort Collins. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $348 in Fort Collins. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Concord and 97 in Fort Collins. 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 $74,800 in Fort Collins. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $64,483 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 $1,745/month in Fort Collins. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 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 Fort Collins, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Fort Collins's is 142 with median homes at $531,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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