City Comparison

Concord vs Hilo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Hilo

Hawaii
132
Expensive
$555,000
Median Home
$1,575/mo
Median Rent
$78,700
Median Income

The Verdict

27.3%

Living in Concord costs 27.3% less than Hilo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $103,125 in Hilo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
149
Hilo
Groceries
97
Concord
149
Hilo
Utilities
97
Concord
218
Hilo
Transportation
92
Concord
146
Hilo
Healthcare
104
Concord
118
Hilo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $103,125 in Hilo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Hilo equals $54,545 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Hilo

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is lower Hilo's 149, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $555,000. The $175,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,575/mo in Hilo, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 149 in Hilo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $708/month in Hilo. Concord offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2964/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Concord and 218 in Hilo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $872 in Hilo. 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 118 in Hilo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $78,700 in Hilo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $59,621 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 $1,836/month in Hilo. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Hilo, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 121 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 27.3% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 132.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $103,125 in Hilo, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Hilo's is 149 with median homes at $555,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases