Skyline of Rock Hill
Cost of Living: 92 75,000

Rock Hill, SC, US

Charlotte suburb with Winthrop University and the Rock Hill Velodrome.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Rock Hill is a city in SC with a population of 75,000. Charlotte suburb with Winthrop University and the Rock Hill Velodrome. Housing costs are close to the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 92

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 95

Affordable

Median Income $55,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.2%

Job market health

Rock Hill vs US Average

Cost of Living
Rock Hill: 92
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Rock Hill: 95
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Rock Hill: 3%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 3.0%
  • Sales Tax: 7.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $55,000
  • Unemployment: 3.2%
  • Population: 75,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 215/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 34°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $300,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1100/mo

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Cost of Living

Rock Hill's cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100).

CategoryRock HillNational AverageDifference
Overall92100-8.0%
Housing95100-5.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$300,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1100/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,375/mo
Price per Sq Ft$200

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Rock Hill:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$98Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$60Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$4Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$45Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$302Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Rock Hill scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
92
Rent
$1100
Sunny Days
215
Tax
3%
Unemployment
3.2%
Climate
88°F / 34°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
75,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Rock Hill has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January54°F34°F2.5"
April73°F49°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F52°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Rock Hill faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave High Risk

Summer heat waves.

Hurricane High Risk

Coastal areas affected by hurricanes.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Charleston area with historical earthquake risk.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 3%
  • Sales Tax: 7%
  • Property Tax: ~0.57% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.2%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year August to May/June
Term System Semester — Fall (Aug-Dec), Spring (Jan-May/June)
Summer Break Late May to August (10 weeks)
Winter Break Late December to early January (2 weeks)
Spring Break March or April (1 week)

State mandates 180 school days.

Demographics

The population of Rock Hill is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
2.0%
Black or African American
39.5%
Hispanic or Latino
5.7%
Native American
0.2%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.0%
Other
0.4%
Two or more races
2.7%
White
49.5%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.5%
High school graduate
23.5%
Less than high school
7.9%
Some college
34.1%

Religion

Christian
78.0%
Other
6.0%
Unaffiliated
16.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Rock Hill, SC, US?

The cost of living index in Rock Hill is 92, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Rock Hill?

The median home price in Rock Hill is $300,000. The housing index is 95.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Rock Hill is approximately $1100/mo.

Does Rock Hill, SC have income tax?

Rock Hill is in SC, which has an income tax rate of 3%.

What is the climate like in Rock Hill?

Rock Hill enjoys approximately 215 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 34°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.