City Comparison

Concord vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Concord

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

Wilmington

North Carolina
103
Average
$320,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$48,432
Median Income

The Verdict

2.9%

Living in Concord costs 2.9% less than Wilmington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Concord, you would need $77,250 in Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
110
Concord
108
Wilmington
Groceries
101
Concord
101
Wilmington
Utilities
110
Concord
94
Wilmington
Transportation
93
Concord
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
113
Concord
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Concord has the same purchasing power as $77,250 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $72,816 in Concord.

Living in Concord vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Concord's housing index of 110 is higher Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $320,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 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 Wilmington, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Concord and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/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 110 in Concord and 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Concord vs $376 in Wilmington. 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 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 $84,900 in Concord and $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $84,900 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 $1,981/month to housing in Concord vs $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Concord, median rent of $1,375/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 Utilities, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concord is 2.9% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Concord has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,250 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Concord's housing index is 110 with median homes at $340,000, while Wilmington's is 108 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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