City Comparison

Concord vs Topeka

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Topeka

Kansas
83
Very Affordable
$175,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$55,500
Median Income

The Verdict

15.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.7%, with Topeka being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to $64,844 in Topeka.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
55
Topeka
Groceries
97
Concord
98
Topeka
Utilities
97
Concord
97
Topeka
Transportation
92
Concord
96
Topeka
Healthcare
104
Concord
96
Topeka

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $64,844 in Topeka.

Conversely, $75,000 in Topeka equals $86,747 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Topeka

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is higher Topeka's 55, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $175,000. The $205,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $900/mo in Topeka, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Concord and 96 in Topeka. 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 $55,500 in Topeka. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $66,867 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 $1,295/month in Topeka. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Topeka, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Topeka is 15.7% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 96.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,844 in Topeka, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Topeka's is 55 with median homes at $175,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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