City Comparison

Concord vs Olympia

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Olympia

Washington
112
Above Average
$495,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$81,300
Median Income

The Verdict

14.3%

Concord is 14.3% less expensive than Olympia overall. A household earning $75,000 in Concord would need approximately $87,500 in Olympia to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
131
Olympia
Groceries
97
Concord
105
Olympia
Utilities
97
Concord
91
Olympia
Transportation
92
Concord
129
Olympia
Healthcare
104
Concord
124
Olympia

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $87,500 in Olympia.

Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $64,286 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Olympia

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is lower Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $495,000. The $115,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,476 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 Olympia, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $499/month in Olympia. 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 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $364 in Olympia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Concord and 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $72,589 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 $1,897/month in Olympia. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 14.3% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,500 in Olympia, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Olympia's is 131 with median homes at $495,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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