Plymouth, NC vs Rockingham, NC

Plymouth, NC and Rockingham, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.5% difference in their overall index. Plymouth scores 65 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 Plymouth is $819/month compared to $717/month in Rockingham — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Rockingham has cheaper rent, Plymouth actually has lower median home values ($83,900 vs $133,900).

Median household income in Plymouth is $30,462 compared to $36,695 in Rockingham (-17%). While Rockingham is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Plymouth spend roughly 32.3% of their income on rent, more than the 23.4% in Rockingham. The Rockingham ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.