City Comparison

Concord vs Surprise

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Surprise

Arizona
103
Average
$419,000
Median Home
$1,575/mo
Median Rent
$85,500
Median Income

The Verdict

6.8%

Living in Concord costs 6.8% less than Surprise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $80,469 in Surprise.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
105
Surprise
Groceries
97
Concord
100
Surprise
Utilities
97
Concord
102
Surprise
Transportation
92
Concord
106
Surprise
Healthcare
104
Concord
97
Surprise

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $80,469 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $69,903 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Surprise

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $419,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Concord and 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $83,010 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 6.8% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,469 in Surprise, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Surprise's is 105 with median homes at $419,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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