City Comparison

Boise vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Boise

Idaho
106
Above Average
$420,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$60,818
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

5.0%

Living in Round Rock costs 5.0% less than Boise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Boise, you would need $71,462 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
118
Boise
92
Round Rock
Groceries
99
Boise
96
Round Rock
Utilities
89
Boise
109
Round Rock
Transportation
99
Boise
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
98
Boise
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Boise vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Boise's housing index of 118 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $413,000. The $7,000 difference in home prices means roughly $456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise 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 89 in Boise and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise 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 98 in Boise 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 $60,818 in Boise and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 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 $1,419/month to housing in Boise vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/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 26 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 Boise has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,462 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Boise's housing index is 118 with median homes at $420,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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