City Comparison

Athens vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Athens

Georgia
88
Below Average
$307,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$56,700
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

12.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 12.9%, with Athens being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Athens has equivalent purchasing power to $86,080 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
78
Athens
92
Round Rock
Groceries
101
Athens
96
Round Rock
Utilities
101
Athens
109
Round Rock
Transportation
96
Athens
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
97
Athens
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Athens has the same purchasing power as $86,080 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $65,347 in Athens.

Living in Athens vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Athens's housing index of 78 is lower Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $307,000 vs $413,000. The $106,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,888 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Athens compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Athens and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Athens 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 101 in Athens and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Athens vs $436 in Round Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Athens 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 $56,700 in Athens and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,432 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 $1,323/month to housing in Athens vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Athens, median rent of $1,200/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 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Athens is 12.9% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Athens has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,080 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Athens's housing index is 78 with median homes at $307,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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