City Comparison

Midland vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Midland

Texas
92
Below Average
$269,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$89,600
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

8.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.9%, with Midland being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Midland has equivalent purchasing power to $82,337 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
84
Midland
92
Round Rock
Groceries
96
Midland
96
Round Rock
Utilities
99
Midland
109
Round Rock
Transportation
91
Midland
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
110
Midland
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Midland has the same purchasing power as $82,337 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $68,317 in Midland.

Living in Midland vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Midland's housing index of 84 is lower Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $269,000 vs $413,000. The $144,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,360 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Midland compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Midland and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Midland 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 99 in Midland and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Midland vs $436 in Round Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 110 in Midland and 96 in Round Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $89,600 in Midland and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $97,391 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 $2,091/month to housing in Midland vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Midland, median rent of $1,450/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Midland is 8.9% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Midland has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,337 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Midland's housing index is 84 with median homes at $269,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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