City Comparison

Albany vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Albany

New York
99
Average
$220,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$43,098
Median Income

Round Rock

Texas
101
Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$100,500
Median Income

The Verdict

2.0%

Albany is 2.0% less expensive than Round Rock overall. A household earning $75,000 in Albany would need approximately $76,515 in Round Rock to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
93
Albany
92
Round Rock
Groceries
102
Albany
96
Round Rock
Utilities
107
Albany
109
Round Rock
Transportation
101
Albany
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
100
Albany
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Albany has the same purchasing power as $76,515 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $73,515 in Albany.

Living in Albany vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Albany's housing index of 93 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $220,000 vs $413,000. The $193,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,540 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Albany compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Albany and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Albany vs $456/month in Round Rock. Round Rock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Albany and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Albany vs $436 in Round Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Albany and 96 in Round Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $43,098 in Albany and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,533 and $99,505 respectively. Round Rock residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,006/month to housing in Albany vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Albany, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Groceries, where the gap is 6 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Albany is 2.0% more affordable overall with an index of 99 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Albany has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,515 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Albany's housing index is 93 with median homes at $220,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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