Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Rock Hill and Spartanburg, South Carolina. Using South Carolina's 0.57% property tax rate and $2,600/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
Spartanburg edges out Rock Hill in affordability, saving you roughly $393/month on total housing costs. Both cities are in South Carolina, so property tax rates and insurance costs are the same — the difference comes down to home prices and what you get for your money in each market.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses South Carolina's 0.57% property tax rate.
Buying in Spartanburg saves you approximately $393/month ($4,716/year) compared to Rock Hill, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Spartanburg is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $215K versus $275K in Rock Hill. That's $60K less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $8K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in Spartanburg, compared to $10K in Rock Hill. South Carolina offers the SC Housing Palmetto Home program (Up to $8,000 forgivable) which applies in both cities.
Spartanburg has the better price-to-rent ratio at 17.1x versus 18.3x in Rock Hill. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in Spartanburg is $1,050/month on a $215K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
Rock Hill (pop. 74,410) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while Spartanburg (pop. 38,737) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Families on a budget may prefer Spartanburg, where lower housing costs free up more income for childcare, education, and savings.