City Comparison

Concord vs Johnson City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Johnson City

Tennessee
85
Very Affordable
$276,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

The Verdict

12.9%

Living in Johnson City costs 12.9% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $66,406 in Johnson City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
66
Johnson City
Groceries
97
Concord
95
Johnson City
Utilities
97
Concord
95
Johnson City
Transportation
92
Concord
88
Johnson City
Healthcare
104
Concord
94
Johnson City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $66,406 in Johnson City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Johnson City equals $84,706 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Johnson City

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is higher Johnson City's 66, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $276,000. The $104,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,025/mo in Johnson City, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 95 in Johnson City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $451/month in Johnson City. 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 95 in Johnson City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $380 in Johnson City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Concord and 94 in Johnson City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $55,400 in Johnson City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $65,176 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 $1,293/month in Johnson City. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City is 12.9% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 96.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,406 in Johnson City, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Johnson City's is 66 with median homes at $276,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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