City Comparison

Nashville vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Nashville

Tennessee
102
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$59,828
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

1.0%

Round Rock is 1.0% less expensive than Nashville overall. A household earning $75,000 in Nashville would need approximately $74,265 in Round Rock to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
108
Nashville
92
Round Rock
Groceries
96
Nashville
96
Round Rock
Utilities
92
Nashville
109
Round Rock
Transportation
100
Nashville
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
98
Nashville
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Nashville has the same purchasing power as $74,265 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $75,743 in Nashville.

Living in Nashville vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Nashville's housing index of 108 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $413,000. The $33,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,148 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Nashville compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Nashville and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Nashville 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 92 in Nashville and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Nashville 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 98 in Nashville 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 $59,828 in Nashville and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,655 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 $1,396/month to housing in Nashville vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Nashville, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock is 1.0% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 102.
A $75,000 salary in Nashville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,265 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Nashville's housing index is 108 with median homes at $380,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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