City Comparison

Fayetteville vs Rock Hill

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fayetteville

Arkansas
90
Below Average
$332,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$59,100
Median Income

Rock Hill

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

The Verdict

10.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 10.0%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to $83,333 in Rock Hill.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
94
Fayetteville
79
Rock Hill
Groceries
92
Fayetteville
105
Rock Hill
Utilities
98
Fayetteville
94
Rock Hill
Transportation
95
Fayetteville
103
Rock Hill
Healthcare
78
Fayetteville
106
Rock Hill

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $83,333 in Rock Hill.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rock Hill equals $67,500 in Fayetteville.

Living in Fayetteville vs Rock Hill

Housing Costs

Fayetteville's housing index of 94 is higher Rock Hill's 79, translating to median home prices of $332,000 vs $305,000. The $27,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,752 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,125/mo in Rock Hill, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fayetteville and 105 in Rock Hill. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fayetteville vs $499/month in Rock Hill. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Fayetteville and 94 in Rock Hill. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $376 in Rock Hill. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 78 in Fayetteville and 106 in Rock Hill. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $59,100 in Fayetteville and $65,800 in Rock Hill. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,667 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 $1,379/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $1,535/month in Rock Hill. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Rock Hill, median rent of $1,125/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fayetteville is 10.0% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,333 in Rock Hill, based on the cost of living difference.
Fayetteville's housing index is 94 with median homes at $332,000, while Rock Hill's is 79 with median homes at $305,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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