Concord wins overall by ~1% (COL index)
Cost of living: Concord vs Wilmington (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Concord buys roughly what $60,652 does in Wilmington (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
+$787/yr
Favoring Concord for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $66/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 | Wilmington North Carolina | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,200Better | $1,250 | Concord wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Concord |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,500Better | $1,550 | Concord wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Concord |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,950Better | $2,050 | Concord wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Concord |
| Median home price | $320KBetter | $340K | Concord wins +$20K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96Better | 98 | Concord wins +2 | — |
| 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 | $42Better | $45 | Concord wins +$3/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.15 | Concord wins +$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145Better | $148 | Concord wins +$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $152Better | $158 | Concord wins +$6/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $62 | Concord wins +$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $62KBetter | $57K | Concord wins −$5K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.5%Better | 4.5% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.3% | 7.0%Better | Wilmington wins -0.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $15.00 | Concord wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $38Better | $38 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Better | $6.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 92Better | 93 | Concord wins +1 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 22 | 30Wins | Wilmington wins +8 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
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Tax-smart rewards
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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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Frequently asked questions
Is Concord cheaper than Wilmington?
Yes. Concord is 1% cheaper than Wilmington based on overall cost of living indices (92 vs 93, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Concord vs Wilmington?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Concord is $1,500/month and in Wilmington is $1,550/month. Concord is cheaper by 3%.
How much do I need to earn in Wilmington to match a $75,000 salary in Concord?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,815/year in Wilmington 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 Wilmington?
Wilmington has the lower state income tax rate at 4.5% vs 4.5%. The difference is 0.0 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 Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Concord offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. 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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