Concord vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Concord
Wilmington
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 6.8%, with Concord being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to $80,469 in Wilmington.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $80,469 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $69,903 in Concord.
Living in Concord vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Concord's housing index of 89 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $320,000. The $60,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Concord compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Concord and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Concord vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Concord vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Concord and 106 in Wilmington. 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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,521 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Concord, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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