Lancaster vs Round Rock
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lancaster
Round Rock
The Verdict
Round Rock is 26.7% less expensive than Lancaster overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lancaster would need approximately $59,180 in Round Rock to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lancaster has the same purchasing power as $59,180 in Round Rock.
Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $95,050 in Lancaster.
Living in Lancaster vs Round Rock
Housing Costs
Lancaster's housing index of 148 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $447,000 vs $413,000. The $34,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,208 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,625/mo in Lancaster compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 109 in Lancaster and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Lancaster vs $456/month in Round Rock. Round Rock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Lancaster and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Lancaster vs $436 in Round Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Lancaster 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 $81,500 in Lancaster and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,672 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 $1,902/month to housing in Lancaster vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Lancaster, 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 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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