City Comparison

Hillsboro vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hillsboro

Oregon
128
Expensive
$533,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$106,700
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

26.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 26.7%, with Round Rock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to $59,180 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
175
Hillsboro
92
Round Rock
Groceries
108
Hillsboro
96
Round Rock
Utilities
96
Hillsboro
109
Round Rock
Transportation
126
Hillsboro
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
103
Hillsboro
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has the same purchasing power as $59,180 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $95,050 in Hillsboro.

Living in Hillsboro vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $413,000. The $120,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,800 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $456/month in Round Rock. Round Rock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Hillsboro and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro 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 103 in Hillsboro 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 $106,700 in Hillsboro and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 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 $2,490/month to housing in Hillsboro vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/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 83 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock is 26.7% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,180 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Hillsboro's housing index is 175 with median homes at $533,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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