City Comparison

Montpelier vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Montpelier

Vermont
117
Above Average
$375,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$82,600
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

15.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.8%, with Round Rock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Montpelier has equivalent purchasing power to $64,744 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
131
Montpelier
92
Round Rock
Groceries
104
Montpelier
96
Round Rock
Utilities
123
Montpelier
109
Round Rock
Transportation
107
Montpelier
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
107
Montpelier
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Montpelier has the same purchasing power as $64,744 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $86,881 in Montpelier.

Living in Montpelier vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Montpelier's housing index of 131 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $375,000 vs $413,000. The $38,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,472 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Montpelier compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Montpelier and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Montpelier vs $456/month in Round Rock. Round Rock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 123 in Montpelier and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $492 in Montpelier 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 107 in Montpelier and 96 in Round Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $82,600 in Montpelier and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,598 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 $1,927/month to housing in Montpelier vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Montpelier, 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 39 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock is 15.8% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Montpelier has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,744 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Montpelier's housing index is 131 with median homes at $375,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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