City Comparison

Concord vs North Charleston

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

North Charleston

South Carolina
102
Average
$347,000
Median Home
$1,525/mo
Median Rent
$61,400
Median Income

The Verdict

5.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.9%, with Concord being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to $79,688 in North Charleston.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
102
North Charleston
Groceries
97
Concord
101
North Charleston
Utilities
97
Concord
120
North Charleston
Transportation
92
Concord
91
North Charleston
Healthcare
104
Concord
86
North Charleston

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $79,688 in North Charleston.

Conversely, $75,000 in North Charleston equals $70,588 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs North Charleston

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is lower North Charleston's 102, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $347,000. The $33,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,148 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,525/mo in North Charleston, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 101 in North Charleston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $480/month in North Charleston. 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 120 in North Charleston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $480 in North Charleston. 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 86 in North Charleston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $61,400 in North Charleston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $60,196 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 $1,433/month in North Charleston. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In North Charleston, median rent of $1,525/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 5.9% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 102.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,688 in North Charleston, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while North Charleston's is 102 with median homes at $347,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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