City Comparison

Dayton vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Dayton

Ohio
80
Very Affordable
$135,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$43,500
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

20.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 20.8%, with Dayton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to $94,688 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
46
Dayton
92
Round Rock
Groceries
98
Dayton
96
Round Rock
Utilities
109
Dayton
109
Round Rock
Transportation
100
Dayton
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
114
Dayton
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $94,688 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $59,406 in Dayton.

Living in Dayton vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $413,000. The $278,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,072 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton 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 109 in Dayton and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $436 in Round Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 96 in Round Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $43,500 in Dayton and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 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 $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Dayton, median rent of $900/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 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dayton is 20.8% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $94,688 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Dayton's housing index is 46 with median homes at $135,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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