City Comparison

Aurora vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Aurora

Colorado
124
Expensive
$410,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$84,300
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

22.8%

Living in Round Rock costs 22.8% less than Aurora. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $61,089 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
174
Aurora
92
Round Rock
Groceries
102
Aurora
96
Round Rock
Utilities
87
Aurora
109
Round Rock
Transportation
104
Aurora
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
119
Aurora
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Aurora has the same purchasing power as $61,089 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $92,079 in Aurora.

Living in Aurora vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Aurora's housing index of 174 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $410,000 vs $413,000. The $3,000 difference in home prices means roughly $192 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Aurora compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Aurora and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Aurora 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 87 in Aurora and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Aurora vs $436 in Round Rock. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 119 in Aurora and 96 in Round Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $84,300 in Aurora and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,984 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 $1,967/month to housing in Aurora vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Aurora, median rent of $1,750/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 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock is 22.8% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 124.
A $75,000 salary in Aurora has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,089 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Aurora's housing index is 174 with median homes at $410,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases