City Comparison

Naperville vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Naperville

Illinois
112
Above Average
$430,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$118,254
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

10.9%

Living in Round Rock costs 10.9% less than Naperville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Naperville, you would need $67,634 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
130
Naperville
92
Round Rock
Groceries
104
Naperville
96
Round Rock
Utilities
99
Naperville
109
Round Rock
Transportation
116
Naperville
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
101
Naperville
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Naperville has the same purchasing power as $67,634 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $83,168 in Naperville.

Living in Naperville vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Naperville's housing index of 130 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $430,000 vs $413,000. The $17,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,104 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Naperville compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Naperville and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Naperville 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 99 in Naperville and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Naperville vs $436 in Round Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Naperville 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 $118,254 in Naperville and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $105,584 and $99,505 respectively. Naperville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,759/month to housing in Naperville vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Naperville, median rent of $1,800/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 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock is 10.9% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Naperville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,634 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Naperville's housing index is 130 with median homes at $430,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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