City Comparison

Fort Collins vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Collins

Colorado
116
Above Average
$531,000
Median Home
$1,625/mo
Median Rent
$74,800
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

14.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 14.9%, with Round Rock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Collins has equivalent purchasing power to $65,302 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
142
Fort Collins
92
Round Rock
Groceries
100
Fort Collins
96
Round Rock
Utilities
87
Fort Collins
109
Round Rock
Transportation
108
Fort Collins
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
97
Fort Collins
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Collins has the same purchasing power as $65,302 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $86,139 in Fort Collins.

Living in Fort Collins vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Fort Collins's housing index of 142 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $531,000 vs $413,000. The $118,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,668 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Fort Collins compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Fort Collins and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Fort Collins 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 87 in Fort Collins and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Fort Collins 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 97 in Fort Collins 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 $74,800 in Fort Collins and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,483 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 $1,745/month to housing in Fort Collins vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/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 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock is 14.9% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 116.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Collins has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $65,302 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Collins's housing index is 142 with median homes at $531,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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