Concord vs Albany — side-by-side
Cost of living: Concord vs Albany (2026)
A $61,000 salary in Concord buys roughly what $61,000 does in Albany (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$321/yr
Favoring Concord for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $27/mo in Concord, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Concord North Carolina | Albany New York | Who wins | Your impact at $61K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,200 | $1,100Better | Albany wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Albany |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,500 | $1,400Better | Albany wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Albany |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,950 | $1,850Better | Albany wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Albany |
| Median home price | $320K | $270KWins | Albany wins −$50K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96Better | 100 | Concord wins +4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13Better | $14 | Concord wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $54Better | $56 | Concord wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $42Wins | $68 | Concord wins +$26/mo | $312/yr saves in Concord |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.35 | Concord wins +$0.25 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145Wins | $170 | Concord wins +$25/mo | $300/yr saves in Concord |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $152Wins | $185 | Concord wins +$33/mo | $396/yr saves in Concord |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $65 | Concord wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $62KBetter | $60K | Concord wins −$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.5%Wins | 6.9% | Concord wins +2.4 pp | $1,464/yr saves in Concord |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.3%Better | 8.0% | Concord wins +0.7 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $15.00 | Concord wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $38Better | $40 | Concord wins +$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Better | $6.50 | Concord wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 92Better | 92 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 22 | 55Wins | Albany wins +33 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,464/yr tax difference into cash back
Concord fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Concord.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Concord vs Albany?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Concord is $1,500/month and in Albany is $1,400/month. Concord is more expensive by 7%.
How much do I need to earn in Albany to match a $75,000 salary in Concord?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Albany to match a $75,000 salary in Concord. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Concord or Albany?
Concord has the lower state income tax rate at 4.5% vs 6.9%. The difference is 2.4 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Concord to Albany?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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