Arlington vs Round Rock

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $78,906 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $71,287 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 86 is lower Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $413,000. The $153,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,948 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $456/month in Round Rock. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Arlington and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $436 in Round Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington 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 $60,138 in Arlington and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 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 $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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