City Comparison

Rock Hill vs Rockford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Rock Hill

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

Rockford

Illinois
79
Very Affordable
$155,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$53,300
Median Income

The Verdict

26.6%

Living in Rockford costs 26.6% less than Rock Hill. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Rock Hill, you would need $59,250 in Rockford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
79
Rock Hill
52
Rockford
Groceries
105
Rock Hill
99
Rockford
Utilities
94
Rock Hill
92
Rockford
Transportation
103
Rock Hill
101
Rockford
Healthcare
106
Rock Hill
106
Rockford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Rock Hill has the same purchasing power as $59,250 in Rockford.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $94,937 in Rock Hill.

Living in Rock Hill vs Rockford

Housing Costs

Rock Hill's housing index of 79 is higher Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $305,000 vs $155,000. 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: $1,125/mo in Rock Hill compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Rock Hill and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Rock Hill vs $470/month in Rockford. Rockford offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Rock Hill and 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Rock Hill vs $368 in Rockford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Rock Hill and 106 in Rockford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $65,800 in Rock Hill and $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,800 and $67,468 respectively. Rockford residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,535/month to housing in Rock Hill vs $1,244/month in Rockford. In Rock Hill, median rent of $1,125/mo fits within this budget. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rockford is 26.6% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Rock Hill has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,250 in Rockford, based on the cost of living difference.
Rock Hill's housing index is 79 with median homes at $305,000, while Rockford's is 52 with median homes at $155,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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