Concord vs Madison
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Concord
Madison
The Verdict
Living in Concord costs 5.7% less than Madison. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $79,500 in Madison.
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 $79,500 in Madison.
Conversely, $75,000 in Madison equals $70,755 in Concord.
Living in Concord vs Madison
Housing Costs
Concord's housing index of 110 is lower Madison's 115, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $340,000. The $0 difference in home prices means roughly $0 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Concord compared to $1,400/mo in Madison, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Concord and 101 in Madison. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Concord vs $480/month in Madison. 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 97 in Madison. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Concord vs $388 in Madison. 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 105 in Madison. 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 $84,900 in Concord and $67,565 in Madison. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $84,900 and $63,741 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 $1,577/month in Madison. In Concord, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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