Cost of Living in Concord, CA

With a cost of living index of 171, Concord, CA is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Living here is 71% more expensive than the national average and 27% above the California state average of 144. As a major city with a population of 124,260, Concord offers a wide range of housing options, employment opportunities, and urban amenities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Concord's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $2,226 (69% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $755,900 (148% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 6.9x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Concord is $109,195, which is 45% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 24% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they do not fully offset the higher cost of living.

Everyday prices in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.