City Comparison

Burlington vs Rock Hill

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Burlington

Vermont
118
Above Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$51,098
Median Income

Rock Hill

South Carolina
100
Average
$305,000
Median Home
$1,125/mo
Median Rent
$65,800
Median Income

The Verdict

18.0%

Living in Rock Hill costs 18.0% less than Burlington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Burlington, you would need $63,559 in Rock Hill.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
139
Burlington
79
Rock Hill
Groceries
108
Burlington
105
Rock Hill
Utilities
115
Burlington
94
Rock Hill
Transportation
98
Burlington
103
Rock Hill
Healthcare
116
Burlington
106
Rock Hill

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $63,559 in Rock Hill.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rock Hill equals $88,500 in Burlington.

Living in Burlington vs Rock Hill

Housing Costs

Burlington's housing index of 139 is higher Rock Hill's 79, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $305,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $1,125/mo in Rock Hill, a monthly difference of $675.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 105 in Rock Hill. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $499/month in Rock Hill. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 94 in Rock Hill. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $376 in Rock Hill. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 116 in Burlington and 106 in Rock Hill. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $51,098 in Burlington and $65,800 in Rock Hill. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 and $65,800 respectively. Rock Hill residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $1,535/month in Rock Hill. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Rock Hill, median rent of $1,125/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rock Hill is 18.0% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,559 in Rock Hill, based on the cost of living difference.
Burlington's housing index is 139 with median homes at $380,000, while Rock Hill's is 79 with median homes at $305,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases