City Comparison

Olathe vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Olathe

Kansas
106
Above Average
$364,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$114,000
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

5.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.0%, with Round Rock being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Olathe has equivalent purchasing power to $71,462 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
106
Olathe
92
Round Rock
Groceries
96
Olathe
96
Round Rock
Utilities
98
Olathe
109
Round Rock
Transportation
95
Olathe
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
102
Olathe
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Olathe has the same purchasing power as $71,462 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $78,713 in Olathe.

Living in Olathe vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Olathe's housing index of 106 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $364,000 vs $413,000. The $49,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Olathe compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Olathe and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Olathe 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 98 in Olathe and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Olathe 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 102 in Olathe 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 $114,000 in Olathe and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,547 and $99,505 respectively. Olathe residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,660/month to housing in Olathe vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Olathe, median rent of $1,425/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 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock is 5.0% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Olathe has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,462 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Olathe's housing index is 106 with median homes at $364,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases