Greenville, NC vs Matthews, NC

The cost of living difference between Greenville, NC and Matthews, NC is dramatic. Greenville is 32.7% cheaper than Matthews, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Greenville has a cost index of 79 while Matthews sits at 118, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Greenville is $983/month compared to $1,670/month in Matthews — a 41% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Greenville is more affordable at $213,100 median vs $406,800.

Median household income in Greenville is $50,564 compared to $105,579 in Matthews (-52.1%). While Matthews is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Greenville spend roughly 23.3% of their income on rent, more than the 19% in Matthews.