A-
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
4%
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 Rock Hill South Carolina National
Cost of living9893100
Goods & Services103100100
Groceries10099100
Health care11194100
Housing9680100
Transportation9491100
Utilities89107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Rock Hill, SC

Knowing the cost of living in Rock Hill allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Rock Hill stands at 98, marking it 2% lower than the national average.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Rock Hill are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Rock Hill can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Rock Hill?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 7 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Rock Hill. The feedback revealed that 14% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 86% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Rock Hill Affordable?

Is Rock Hill affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Rock Hill, for instance, where the median home price falls 9.3% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 7.2% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Rock Hill flaunting a median household income of $51,874, 6.2% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Rock Hill?

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Rock Hill, healthcare costs are 10.6% higher than the national average.

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 Rock Hill, the transportation index is 6.4% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Rock Hill, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Rock Hill is 5% higher than the South Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Rock Hill is 2% lower than the national average
  • Rock Hill housing is 4% lower than the national average
  • South Carolina general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • South Carolina state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Rock Hill

See all the best places to live around Rock Hill

Compare Rock Hill, SC Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      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$69,252$5,771$1,616$2,078
      Renters$38,484$3,207$898$1,155
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Rock Hill, SC, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Rock Hill have a median income of $69,252. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,616 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $38,484, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $898.

      South Carolina Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      South Carolina 6% 9%

      South Carolina Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      South Carolina 0% 6.5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Rock Hill National avg. Difference
      Haircut $18.25$24.2624.8%
      Beauty Salon $59.75$45.5631.1%
      Toothpaste $3.81$3.702.8%
      Shampoo $1.27$1.280.7%
      Movie $13.55$12.1311.7%
      Bowling $21.67$18.0020.4%

      Groceries

      Item Rock Hill National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.27$5.847.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.5%
      Milk $4.61$4.671.2%
      Potatoes $4.98$4.931.0%
      Pizza $10.96$12.099.3%
      Beer $10.47$10.410.5%

      Health Care

      Item Rock Hill National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $143.74$125.6814.4%
      Doctor $148.29$135.789.2%
      Dentist $115.52$113.292.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.77$10.651.1%
      Lipitor $467.34$468.600.3%

      Housing

      Item Rock Hill National avg. Difference
      Home Price $167,600.00$184,700.009.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,159.30$2,346.6934.6%
      Apartment Rent $1,017.00$949.007.2%

      Transportation

      Item Rock Hill National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.29$3.464.9%
      Tire Balancing $53.32$59.9211.0%

      Utilities

      Item Rock Hill National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $167.89$193.9913.5%
      Phone $189.90$192.251.2%
      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.
      Catawba, SC1,069990.6%
      York, SC8,287927.8%
      McConnells, SC293963.6%
      Clover, SC6,370981.7%
      Lesslie, SC3,185990.9%
      Rock Hill, SC74,410981.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rancho Cordova, CA74,39412827.7%
      Buckeye, AZ74,46711212.2%
      Sarnia, ON74,477n/a 
      Rochester Hills, MI74,34011717.4%
      Bolingbrook, IL74,31911010.4%
      Rock Hill, SC74,410981.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.