A
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
15%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Concord North Carolina National
Cost of living10194100
Goods & Services9198100
Groceries9798100
Health care95108100
Housing11585100
Transportation10192100
Utilities10194100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Concord, NC

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Concord? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Concord stands at 101, making it 1% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

The cost of living in Concord closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Concord can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Concord?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 12 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Concord. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 83% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 17% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Concord Affordable?

Is Concord affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Concord, the median home price is 19.3% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 6.5% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Concord boasting a median household income of $70,973, 28.3% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Concord?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Concord, the transportation index is 1.4% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Concord, healthcare costs are 5.3% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Concord displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Concord is 8% higher than the North Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Concord is 1% higher than the national average
  • Concord housing is 15% higher than the national average
  • North Carolina general sales tax is 7% lower than the national average
  • North Carolina state income tax is 83% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Concord

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Compare Concord, NC Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$87,204$7,267$2,035$2,616
      Renters$44,122$3,677$1,029$1,324
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Concord, NC, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Concord, homeowners have a median income of $87,204. Using that number, a maximum of $2,035 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $44,122, which means there is a maximum of $1,029 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      North Carolina Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      North Carolina 4.75% 7.5%

      North Carolina Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      North Carolina 4.75% 4.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Concord National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.02$24.2623.7%
      Beauty Salon $39.60$45.5613.1%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.3%
      Shampoo $1.34$1.284.6%
      Movie $13.67$12.1312.6%
      Bowling $18.63$18.003.5%

      Groceries

      Item Concord National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.12$5.844.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.55$1.571.5%
      Milk $4.66$4.670.3%
      Potatoes $5.30$4.937.3%
      Pizza $11.64$12.093.7%
      Beer $10.31$10.410.9%

      Health Care

      Item Concord National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $131.75$125.684.8%
      Doctor $157.27$135.7815.8%
      Dentist $130.26$113.2915.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.78$10.651.2%
      Lipitor $483.22$468.603.1%

      Housing

      Item Concord National avg. Difference
      Home Price $220,300.00$184,700.0019.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,004.78$2,346.6914.6%
      Apartment Rent $1,011.00$949.006.5%

      Transportation

      Item Concord National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.19$3.467.7%
      Tire Balancing $57.92$59.923.3%

      Utilities

      Item Concord National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $160.96$193.9917.0%
      Phone $187.97$192.252.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Enochville, NC3,3588712.5%
      China Grove, NC4,2258812.4%
      Rockwell, NC2,0908911.1%
      Red Cross, NC710936.5%
      Granite Quarry, NC2,973927.8%
      Concord, NC94,1471011.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lynn, MA94,20113635.5%
      Victoria, BC94,229n/a 
      Livonia, MI93,9701044.0%
      Dearborn, MI94,328982.4%
      Plantation, FL94,36612827.7%
      Concord, NC94,1471011.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.