Cross Hill, SC vs St. Stephen, SC

Cross Hill, SC and St. Stephen, SC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.8% difference in their overall index. Cross Hill scores 70 while St. Stephen scores 69 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cross Hill is $1,013/month compared to $764/month in St. Stephen — a 33% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while St. Stephen has cheaper rent, Cross Hill actually has lower median home values ($80,400 vs $131,400).

Median household income in Cross Hill is $37,083 compared to $59,688 in St. Stephen (-37.9%). St. Stephen offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cross Hill spend roughly 32.8% of their income on rent, more than the 15.4% in St. Stephen. The St. Stephen ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, St. Stephen is notably warmer with an average of 66.5°F compared to 61.1°F in Cross Hill. St. Stephen receives more rainfall at 52.5" per year compared to 42" in Cross Hill.