City Comparison

Concord vs Montgomery

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

The Verdict

21.5%

Living in Montgomery costs 21.5% less than Concord. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $61,719 in Montgomery.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
49
Montgomery
Groceries
97
Concord
99
Montgomery
Utilities
97
Concord
115
Montgomery
Transportation
92
Concord
92
Montgomery
Healthcare
104
Concord
78
Montgomery

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $61,719 in Montgomery.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $91,139 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Montgomery

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $162,000. The $218,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,172 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-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 $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $71,899 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 21.5% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 96.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,719 in Montgomery, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Montgomery's is 49 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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