City Comparison

Norfolk vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Norfolk

Virginia
99
Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$51,938
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

2.0%

Living in Norfolk costs 2.0% less than Round Rock. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Norfolk, you would need $76,515 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
95
Norfolk
92
Round Rock
Groceries
99
Norfolk
96
Round Rock
Utilities
97
Norfolk
109
Round Rock
Transportation
100
Norfolk
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
99
Norfolk
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Norfolk has the same purchasing power as $76,515 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $73,515 in Norfolk.

Living in Norfolk vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Norfolk's housing index of 95 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $413,000. The $163,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,596 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Norfolk compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Norfolk and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Norfolk 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 Norfolk and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Norfolk 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 99 in Norfolk 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 $51,938 in Norfolk and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $52,463 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 $1,212/month to housing in Norfolk vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Norfolk, median rent of $1,300/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 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Norfolk is 2.0% more affordable overall with an index of 99 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Norfolk has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,515 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Norfolk's housing index is 95 with median homes at $250,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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