Memphis vs Rock Hill
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Memphis
Rock Hill
The Verdict
Memphis is 16.0% less expensive than Rock Hill overall. A household earning $75,000 in Memphis would need approximately $89,286 in Rock Hill to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Memphis has the same purchasing power as $89,286 in Rock Hill.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rock Hill equals $63,000 in Memphis.
Living in Memphis vs Rock Hill
Housing Costs
Memphis's housing index of 63 is lower Rock Hill's 79, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $305,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Memphis compared to $1,125/mo in Rock Hill, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 93 in Memphis and 105 in Rock Hill. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in Memphis vs $499/month in Rock Hill. Memphis offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 88 in Memphis and 94 in Rock Hill. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Memphis vs $376 in Rock Hill. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Memphis and 106 in Rock Hill. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $41,228 in Memphis and $65,800 in Rock Hill. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,081 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 $962/month to housing in Memphis vs $1,535/month in Rock Hill. In Memphis, median rent of $1,000/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 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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