City Comparison

Concord vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Springfield

Illinois
78
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$65,500
Median Income

The Verdict

23.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 23.1%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to $60,938 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
52
Springfield
Groceries
97
Concord
98
Springfield
Utilities
97
Concord
98
Springfield
Transportation
92
Concord
114
Springfield
Healthcare
104
Concord
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $60,938 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $92,308 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is higher Springfield's 52, 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 $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $466/month in Springfield. 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 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Concord and 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $83,974 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 $1,528/month in Springfield. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 23.1% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 96.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,938 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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