City Comparison

Rock Hill vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Rock Hill

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

Wilmington

Delaware
104
Average
$235,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$46,520
Median Income

The Verdict

3.8%

Living in Rock Hill costs 3.8% less than Wilmington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Rock Hill, you would need $78,000 in Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
79
Rock Hill
104
Wilmington
Groceries
105
Rock Hill
103
Wilmington
Utilities
94
Rock Hill
106
Wilmington
Transportation
103
Rock Hill
103
Wilmington
Healthcare
106
Rock Hill
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Rock Hill has the same purchasing power as $78,000 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $72,115 in Rock Hill.

Living in Rock Hill vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Rock Hill's housing index of 79 is lower Wilmington's 104, translating to median home prices of $305,000 vs $235,000. The $70,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,548 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,125/mo in Rock Hill compared to $1,200/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Rock Hill and 103 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Rock Hill vs $489/month in Wilmington. 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 94 in Rock Hill and 106 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Rock Hill vs $424 in Wilmington. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Rock Hill and 106 in Wilmington. 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 $46,520 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,800 and $44,731 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 $1,085/month in Wilmington. In Rock Hill, median rent of $1,125/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rock Hill is 3.8% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Rock Hill has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,000 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Rock Hill's housing index is 79 with median homes at $305,000, while Wilmington's is 104 with median homes at $235,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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