Fort Mill, SC vs Lake Wylie, SC

Fort Mill, SC and Lake Wylie, SC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Fort Mill scores 115 while Lake Wylie scores 118 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 Fort Mill is $1,437/month compared to $1,517/month in Lake Wylie — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Mill is more affordable at $457,000 median vs $464,200.

Median household income in Fort Mill is $127,537 compared to $112,113 in Lake Wylie (+13.8%). Fort Mill offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Mill spend roughly 13.5% of their income on rent, less than the 16.2% in Lake Wylie.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (61°F vs 61°F). Lake Wylie receives more rainfall at 42.4" per year compared to 42.4" in Fort Mill.