City Comparison

Concord vs Lexington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Lexington

Kentucky
93
Below Average
$245,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$55,648
Median Income

The Verdict

3.2%

Living in Lexington costs 3.2% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $72,656 in Lexington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
82
Lexington
Groceries
97
Concord
96
Lexington
Utilities
97
Concord
91
Lexington
Transportation
92
Concord
98
Lexington
Healthcare
104
Concord
94
Lexington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $72,656 in Lexington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lexington equals $77,419 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Lexington

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is higher Lexington's 82, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $245,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,200/mo in Lexington, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 96 in Lexington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $456/month in Lexington. 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 91 in Lexington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $364 in Lexington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Concord and 94 in Lexington. 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 $55,648 in Lexington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $59,837 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 $1,298/month in Lexington. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington is 3.2% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 96.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,656 in Lexington, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Lexington's is 82 with median homes at $245,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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