Cost of Living in Rock Hill, SC

Population 74,769 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

92
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Rock Hill lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $267,000 — 12% below the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in South Carolina.

Rock Hill sits roughly 20 miles southwest of Charlotte — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 24% lower than Charlotte's $352,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 88
Rent 97

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Rock Hill

The median home value in Rock Hill is $267,400 — 12% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,279/month, 3% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $64,770/year is 13% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.9%, above the national average of 4.8%. South Carolina's top state income tax rate is 6.4% and the combined sales tax is 7.5%. The climate averages highs of 72.3°F and lows of 49.7°F. Overall, Rock Hill has a cost of living index of 92 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$267,400
12% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$320,952
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,279/mo
3% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,554/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.4x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$807
1 BR
$841
2 BR
$1,028
3 BR
$1,294
4 BR
$1,567
Owner-occupied 53.5%
Renter-occupied 46.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,279
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,893/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
27.3 min
1% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.1%
Carpooled
8.0%
Public transit
0.8%
Walked
2.7%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
9.3%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 6.4%
Total Sales Tax 7.5%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 1.5%
Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$64,770
13% below avg
Per Capita Income
$36,615
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
23% above avg
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Labor Force Participation
67.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.4%
Graduate degree 13.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.7
Male median age 34.8
Female median age 36.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
72.3°F
Avg Low
49.7°F
Annual Precip
42.4"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 525764748087908983736355
Low °F 313440485766696862493933
Precip" 3.473.153.783.553.163.974.023.983.423.013.253.62

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 47 — Good
58.4%
Good air days/yr
115
Max AQI recorded
196
PM2.5 days
169
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

85%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
28
Public schools
17,594
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Rock Hill, SC?

Rock Hill has a cost index of 92 (100 = national average). It is 8% below the national average.

What is average rent in Rock Hill, SC?

The median gross rent in Rock Hill is $1,279 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Rock Hill?

The median home value in Rock Hill is $267,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Rock Hill?

The median household income in Rock Hill is $64,770 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Rock Hill, SC?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Rock Hill is 7.5%. The South Carolina state income tax top rate is 6.4%.

Is Rock Hill, SC affordable?

Rock Hill is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 92 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Rock Hill?

Rock Hill has average high temperatures of 72.3°F and average lows of 49.7°F. Annual precipitation is 42.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Rock Hill at a Glance

Population
74,769
Median Income
$64,770
Home Value
$267,400
Median Rent
$1,279/mo
Unemployment
5.9%
Avg High Temp
72.3°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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