City Comparison

Concord vs Manchester

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Manchester

New Hampshire
118
Above Average
$350,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$65,018
Median Income

The Verdict

18.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.6%, with Concord being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to $92,188 in Manchester.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
140
Manchester
Groceries
97
Concord
105
Manchester
Utilities
97
Concord
114
Manchester
Transportation
92
Concord
100
Manchester
Healthcare
104
Concord
112
Manchester

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $92,188 in Manchester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Manchester equals $61,017 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Manchester

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is lower Manchester's 140, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $350,000. The $30,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,600/mo in Manchester, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 105 in Manchester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $499/month in Manchester. Concord offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Concord and 114 in Manchester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $456 in Manchester. 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 112 in Manchester. 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 $65,018 in Manchester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $55,100 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 $1,517/month in Manchester. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Manchester, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 18.6% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $92,188 in Manchester, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Manchester's is 140 with median homes at $350,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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