Kinston, NC vs Rockingham, NC

Kinston, NC and Rockingham, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Kinston scores 67 while Rockingham scores 66 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 Kinston is $822/month compared to $717/month in Rockingham — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Rockingham has cheaper rent, Kinston actually has lower median home values ($108,300 vs $133,900).

Median household income in Kinston is $35,250 compared to $36,695 in Rockingham (-3.9%). Rockingham offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Kinston spend roughly 28% of their income on rent, more than the 23.4% in Rockingham.