Matthews, NC vs Rocky Mount, NC

The cost of living difference between Matthews, NC and Rocky Mount, NC is dramatic. Rocky Mount is 66.4% cheaper than Matthews, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Matthews has a cost index of 118 while Rocky Mount sits at 71, 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 Matthews is $1,670/month compared to $919/month in Rocky Mount — a 82% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Rocky Mount is more affordable at $148,300 median vs $406,800.

Median household income in Matthews is $105,579 compared to $52,927 in Rocky Mount (+99.5%). 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 Matthews spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, less than the 20.8% in Rocky Mount.