City Comparison

Lafayette vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lafayette

Louisiana
90
Below Average
$214,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$61,900
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

10.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 10.9%, with Lafayette being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lafayette has equivalent purchasing power to $84,167 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
73
Lafayette
92
Round Rock
Groceries
96
Lafayette
96
Round Rock
Utilities
97
Lafayette
109
Round Rock
Transportation
96
Lafayette
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
80
Lafayette
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lafayette has the same purchasing power as $84,167 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $66,832 in Lafayette.

Living in Lafayette vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Lafayette's housing index of 73 is lower Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $214,000 vs $413,000. The $199,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,936 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Lafayette compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lafayette and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lafayette 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 97 in Lafayette and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Lafayette 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 80 in Lafayette and 96 in Round Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $61,900 in Lafayette and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,778 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 $1,444/month to housing in Lafayette vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/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 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lafayette is 10.9% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Lafayette has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $84,167 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Lafayette's housing index is 73 with median homes at $214,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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