City Comparison

Concord vs Waterbury

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Waterbury

Connecticut
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$48,700
Median Income

The Verdict

1.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 1.1%, with Waterbury being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to $74,219 in Waterbury.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
89
Concord
80
Waterbury
Groceries
97
Concord
101
Waterbury
Utilities
97
Concord
118
Waterbury
Transportation
92
Concord
103
Waterbury
Healthcare
104
Concord
99
Waterbury

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $74,219 in Waterbury.

Conversely, $75,000 in Waterbury equals $75,789 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Waterbury

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 89 is higher Waterbury's 80, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $280,000. The $100,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,504 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,200/mo in Waterbury, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 101 in Waterbury. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $480/month in Waterbury. 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 118 in Waterbury. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $472 in Waterbury. 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 99 in Waterbury. 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 $48,700 in Waterbury. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $51,263 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 $1,136/month in Waterbury. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Waterbury, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Waterbury is 1.1% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 96.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,219 in Waterbury, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 89 with median homes at $380,000, while Waterbury's is 80 with median homes at $280,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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