City Comparison

Madison vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Madison

Wisconsin
106
Above Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$67,565
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

5.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.0%, with Round Rock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to $71,462 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Madison
92
Round Rock
Groceries
101
Madison
96
Round Rock
Utilities
97
Madison
109
Round Rock
Transportation
103
Madison
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
105
Madison
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Madison has the same purchasing power as $71,462 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $78,713 in Madison.

Living in Madison vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Madison's housing index of 115 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $413,000. The $73,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,740 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Madison compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Madison and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Madison 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 Madison and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Madison 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 105 in Madison and 96 in Round Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $67,565 in Madison and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,741 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 $1,577/month to housing in Madison vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/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 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock is 5.0% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,462 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Madison's housing index is 115 with median homes at $340,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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