Lincoln vs Round Rock
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lincoln
Round Rock
The Verdict
Lincoln is 7.9% less expensive than Round Rock overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lincoln would need approximately $81,452 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 Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $81,452 in Round Rock.
Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $69,059 in Lincoln.
Living in Lincoln vs Round Rock
Housing Costs
Lincoln's housing index of 77 is lower Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $413,000. The $149,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,684 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln 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 93 in Lincoln and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln 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 102 in Lincoln 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 $71,900 in Lincoln and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 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 $1,678/month to housing in Lincoln vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/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 Utilities, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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