| Index | Rocky Mount | North Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 89 | 96 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 67 | 88 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 100 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Rocky Mount allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Rocky Mount stands at 89, marking it 11% lower than the national average.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 23 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Rocky Mount. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 26% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 74% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Wondering if Rocky Mount is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Rocky Mount, for example, the median home price is 39.6% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 17.6% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Rocky Mount boasting a median household income of $63,503, which is 21.9% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Rocky Mount, the transportation index is 3.5% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Rocky Mount comes in at 2.7% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
The Rocky Mount cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $89,145 | $7,429 | $2,080 | $2,675 |
| Renters | $48,320 | $4,027 | $1,127 | $1,450 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | 7.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | 4.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Momeyer, NC | 443 | 81 | 19.3% |
| Leggett, NC | 44 | 81 | 19.1% |
| Pinetops, NC | 1,443 | 83 | 17.0% |
| Whitakers, NC | 600 | 84 | 16.0% |
| Elm City, NC | 1,767 | 86 | 14.4% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 56,346 | 89 | 11.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Port Arthur, TX | 56,362 | 85 | 15.5% |
| Gilroy, CA | 56,371 | 181 | 81.1% |
| Lenexa, KS | 56,388 | 111 | 10.9% |
| West Haven, CT | 56,258 | 109 | 9.5% |
| Bel Air South, MD | 56,444 | 123 | 22.8% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 56,346 | 89 | 11.4% |
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