Lancaster vs Round Rock
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lancaster
Round Rock
The Verdict
Living in Lancaster costs 1.0% less than Round Rock. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lancaster, you would need $75,750 in Round Rock.
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 $75,750 in Round Rock.
Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $74,257 in Lancaster.
Living in Lancaster vs Round Rock
Housing Costs
Lancaster's housing index of 67 is lower Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $413,000. The $188,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,216 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,175/mo in Lancaster compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Lancaster and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Lancaster 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 110 in Lancaster and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Lancaster vs $436 in Round Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 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 $63,700 in Lancaster and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,700 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 $1,486/month to housing in Lancaster vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Lancaster, median rent of $1,175/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 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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