City Comparison

Lexington vs Rock Hill

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lexington

Kentucky
93
Below Average
$245,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$55,648
Median Income

Rock Hill

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

The Verdict

7.0%

Lexington is 7.0% less expensive than Rock Hill overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lexington would need approximately $80,645 in Rock Hill to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Lexington
79
Rock Hill
Groceries
96
Lexington
105
Rock Hill
Utilities
91
Lexington
94
Rock Hill
Transportation
98
Lexington
103
Rock Hill
Healthcare
94
Lexington
106
Rock Hill

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $80,645 in Rock Hill.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rock Hill equals $69,750 in Lexington.

Living in Lexington vs Rock Hill

Housing Costs

Lexington's housing index of 82 is higher Rock Hill's 79, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $305,000. The $60,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Lexington compared to $1,125/mo in Rock Hill, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 105 in Rock Hill. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington vs $499/month in Rock Hill. Lexington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Lexington and 94 in Rock Hill. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington vs $376 in Rock Hill. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Lexington and 106 in Rock Hill. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,648 in Lexington and $65,800 in Rock Hill. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 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 $1,298/month to housing in Lexington vs $1,535/month in Rock Hill. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/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 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington is 7.0% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,645 in Rock Hill, based on the cost of living difference.
Lexington's housing index is 82 with median homes at $245,000, while Rock Hill's is 79 with median homes at $305,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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