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 $46,189 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $121,782 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $413,000. The $327,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,252 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $950.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $456/month in Round Rock. Round Rock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $436 in Round Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 96 in Round Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 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 $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 Housing, where the gap is 157 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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