City Comparison

Kent vs Rock Hill

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kent

Washington
137
Expensive
$595,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$98,300
Median Income

Rock Hill

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

The Verdict

37.0%

Living in Rock Hill costs 37.0% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kent, you would need $54,745 in Rock Hill.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
195
Kent
79
Rock Hill
Groceries
109
Kent
105
Rock Hill
Utilities
92
Kent
94
Rock Hill
Transportation
117
Kent
103
Rock Hill
Healthcare
122
Kent
106
Rock Hill

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $54,745 in Rock Hill.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rock Hill equals $102,750 in Kent.

Living in Kent vs Rock Hill

Housing Costs

Kent's housing index of 195 is higher Rock Hill's 79, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $305,000. The $290,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,852 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $1,125/mo in Rock Hill, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 105 in Rock Hill. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent 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 92 in Kent and 94 in Rock Hill. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $376 in Rock Hill. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent and 106 in Rock Hill. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $65,800 in Rock Hill. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 and $65,800 respectively. Kent residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $1,535/month in Rock Hill. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/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 Housing, where the gap is 116 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rock Hill is 37.0% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 137.
A $75,000 salary in Kent has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $54,745 in Rock Hill, based on the cost of living difference.
Kent's housing index is 195 with median homes at $595,000, while Rock Hill's is 79 with median homes at $305,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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