City Comparison

Duluth vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Duluth

Minnesota
85
Very Affordable
$268,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$68,800
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

15.8%

Duluth is 15.8% less expensive than Round Rock overall. A household earning $75,000 in Duluth would need approximately $89,118 in Round Rock to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
88
Duluth
92
Round Rock
Groceries
99
Duluth
96
Round Rock
Utilities
94
Duluth
109
Round Rock
Transportation
100
Duluth
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
123
Duluth
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Duluth has the same purchasing power as $89,118 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $63,119 in Duluth.

Living in Duluth vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $413,000. The $145,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth 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 94 in Duluth and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth 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 123 in Duluth and 96 in Round Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $68,800 in Duluth and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 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 $1,605/month to housing in Duluth vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Duluth is 15.8% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $89,118 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Duluth's housing index is 88 with median homes at $268,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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