City Comparison

Rock Hill vs Scranton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Rock Hill

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

Scranton

Pennsylvania
90
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$49,500
Median Income

The Verdict

11.1%

Living in Scranton costs 11.1% less than Rock Hill. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Rock Hill, you would need $67,500 in Scranton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
79
Rock Hill
65
Scranton
Groceries
105
Rock Hill
98
Scranton
Utilities
94
Rock Hill
102
Scranton
Transportation
103
Rock Hill
101
Scranton
Healthcare
106
Rock Hill
90
Scranton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Rock Hill has the same purchasing power as $67,500 in Scranton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $83,333 in Rock Hill.

Living in Rock Hill vs Scranton

Housing Costs

Rock Hill's housing index of 79 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $305,000 vs $195,000. The $110,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,152 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,125/mo in Rock Hill compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Rock Hill and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Rock Hill vs $466/month in Scranton. Scranton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Rock Hill and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Rock Hill vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Rock Hill and 90 in Scranton. 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 $65,800 in Rock Hill and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,800 and $55,000 respectively. Rock Hill residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,535/month to housing in Rock Hill vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Rock Hill, median rent of $1,125/mo fits within this budget. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scranton is 11.1% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Rock Hill has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,500 in Scranton, based on the cost of living difference.
Rock Hill's housing index is 79 with median homes at $305,000, while Scranton's is 65 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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