City Comparison

Denton vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

Texas
108
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$73,700
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

6.9%

Living in Round Rock costs 6.9% less than Denton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Denton, you would need $70,139 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
92
Round Rock
Groceries
98
Denton
96
Round Rock
Utilities
90
Denton
109
Round Rock
Transportation
87
Denton
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
81
Denton
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $70,139 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $80,198 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $413,000. The $28,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton 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 90 in Denton and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton 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 81 in Denton and 96 in Round Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $73,700 in Denton and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 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 $1,720/month to housing in Denton vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/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 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock is 6.9% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,139 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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