City Comparison

Charlotte vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Charlotte

North Carolina
100
Average
$330,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$62,308
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

1.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 1.0%, with Charlotte being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Charlotte has equivalent purchasing power to $75,750 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
99
Charlotte
92
Round Rock
Groceries
101
Charlotte
96
Round Rock
Utilities
95
Charlotte
109
Round Rock
Transportation
101
Charlotte
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
105
Charlotte
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Charlotte has the same purchasing power as $75,750 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $74,257 in Charlotte.

Living in Charlotte vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Charlotte's housing index of 99 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $330,000 vs $413,000. The $83,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,400 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Charlotte compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Charlotte and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Charlotte 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 95 in Charlotte and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Charlotte 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 105 in Charlotte and 96 in Round Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,308 in Charlotte and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,308 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 $1,454/month to housing in Charlotte vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Charlotte, median rent of $1,500/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 Utilities, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Charlotte is 1.0% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Charlotte has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,750 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Charlotte's housing index is 99 with median homes at $330,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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