City Comparison

Baltimore vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Baltimore

Maryland
106
Above Average
$200,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$52,164
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

5.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.0%, with Round Rock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Baltimore has equivalent purchasing power to $71,462 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
107
Baltimore
92
Round Rock
Groceries
103
Baltimore
96
Round Rock
Utilities
110
Baltimore
109
Round Rock
Transportation
106
Baltimore
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
101
Baltimore
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Baltimore has the same purchasing power as $71,462 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $78,713 in Baltimore.

Living in Baltimore vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Baltimore's housing index of 107 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $200,000 vs $413,000. The $213,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,848 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Baltimore compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Baltimore and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Baltimore vs $456/month in Round Rock. Round Rock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 110 in Baltimore and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Baltimore vs $436 in Round Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Baltimore 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 $52,164 in Baltimore and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,211 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 $1,217/month to housing in Baltimore vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Baltimore, median rent of $1,300/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 Housing, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock is 5.0% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Baltimore has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,462 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Baltimore's housing index is 107 with median homes at $200,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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