Goldsboro, NC vs Rocky Mount, NC

Rocky Mount is moderately more affordable than Goldsboro, with a 5.3% lower cost of living index. Goldsboro scores 75 compared to 71 for Rocky Mount, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Goldsboro can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Goldsboro is $956/month compared to $919/month in Rocky Mount — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rocky Mount is more affordable at $148,300 median vs $173,700.

Median household income in Goldsboro is $47,005 compared to $52,927 in Rocky Mount (-11.2%). Rocky Mount offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Goldsboro spend roughly 24.4% of their income on rent, more than the 20.8% in Rocky Mount.