Median rent is 25% lower in Concord ($1,451/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Concord, where the median home runs $353,700 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Concord ($86,921 vs $81,939 a year). Taken together, Concord is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.3 against 114.7 — about 15% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Concord, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Concord is 15% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 97.3 in Concord vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Concord, NC
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Concord, NC?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$88,429
You'd need $13,429 more (18% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Concord
North Carolina
Los Angeles
California
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Concord — median rent of $1,451/mo versus $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 25% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $353,700 in Concord — 62% more expensive.
Metric
Concord
Los Angeles
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Concord
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for Concord.
Pick Concord if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 97.3 vs 114.7).
Pick Concord if you prioritize higher median household income ($86,921/yr).
Pick Concord if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,451/mo median).
Concord is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.3 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 15% lower in Concord.
Median rent is $1,451/mo in Concord, NC and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Concord, NC has the lower rent by about 25%.
Median household income is $86,921 in Concord, NC and $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA. Concord, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Concord, NC is equivalent to roughly $117,905 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
