City Comparison

Concord vs Knoxville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Knoxville

Tennessee
88
Below Average
$240,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$42,898
Median Income

The Verdict

9.1%

Living in Knoxville costs 9.1% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $68,750 in Knoxville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
73
Knoxville
Groceries
97
Concord
94
Knoxville
Utilities
97
Concord
90
Knoxville
Transportation
92
Concord
97
Knoxville
Healthcare
104
Concord
93
Knoxville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $68,750 in Knoxville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Knoxville equals $81,818 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Knoxville

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is higher Knoxville's 73, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $240,000. The $140,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,096 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,100/mo in Knoxville, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 94 in Knoxville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $447/month in Knoxville. 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 90 in Knoxville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $360 in Knoxville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Concord and 93 in Knoxville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $42,898 in Knoxville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $48,748 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 $1,001/month in Knoxville. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Knoxville, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville is 9.1% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 96.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,750 in Knoxville, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Knoxville's is 73 with median homes at $240,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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