City Comparison

Concord vs Washington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Washington

District of Columbia
152
Very Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,300/mo
Median Rent
$90,842
Median Income

The Verdict

36.8%

Concord is 36.8% less expensive than Washington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Concord would need approximately $118,750 in Washington to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
226
Washington
Groceries
97
Concord
108
Washington
Utilities
97
Concord
118
Washington
Transportation
92
Concord
109
Washington
Healthcare
104
Concord
105
Washington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $118,750 in Washington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Washington equals $47,368 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Washington

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is lower Washington's 226, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $580,000. The $200,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,996 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $2,300/mo in Washington, a monthly difference of $950.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 108 in Washington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $513/month in Washington. Concord offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Concord and 118 in Washington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $472 in Washington. 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 105 in Washington. 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 $90,842 in Washington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $59,764 respectively. Concord residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,028/month to housing in Concord vs $2,120/month in Washington. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Washington, median rent of $2,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 137 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 36.8% more affordable overall with an index of 96 vs 152.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $118,750 in Washington, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Washington's is 226 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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