Gastonia, NC vs Rocky Mount, NC

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Rocky Mount is 25.9% cheaper than Gastonia. With a cost index of 71 vs 89, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Rocky Mount to Gastonia should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Gastonia is $1,145/month compared to $919/month in Rocky Mount — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rocky Mount is more affordable at $148,300 median vs $250,000.

Median household income in Gastonia is $60,554 compared to $52,927 in Rocky Mount (+14.4%). The higher salaries in Gastonia partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Gastonia spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, more than the 20.8% in Rocky Mount.