City Comparison

Concord vs Dover

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

New Hampshire
100
Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$84,900
Median Income

Dover

Delaware
99
Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$58,300
Median Income

The Verdict

1.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 1.0%, with Dover being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to $74,250 in Dover.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Concord
88
Dover
Groceries
101
Concord
100
Dover
Utilities
110
Concord
96
Dover
Transportation
93
Concord
104
Dover
Healthcare
113
Concord
100
Dover

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $74,250 in Dover.

Conversely, $75,000 in Dover equals $75,758 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Dover

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 110 is higher Dover's 88, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $280,000. 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: $1,375/mo in Concord compared to $1,275/mo in Dover, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Concord and 100 in Dover. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Concord vs $475/month in Dover. 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 110 in Concord and 96 in Dover. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Concord vs $384 in Dover. 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 113 in Concord and 100 in Dover. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $84,900 in Concord and $58,300 in Dover. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $84,900 and $58,889 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 $1,981/month to housing in Concord vs $1,360/month in Dover. In Concord, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Dover, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dover is 1.0% more affordable overall with an index of 99 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,250 in Dover, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 110 with median homes at $340,000, while Dover's is 88 with median homes at $280,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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