City Comparison

Plano vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Plano

Texas
109
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$96,348
Median Income

Round Rock

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

The Verdict

7.9%

Living in Round Rock costs 7.9% less than Plano. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Plano, you would need $69,495 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
123
Plano
92
Round Rock
Groceries
98
Plano
96
Round Rock
Utilities
99
Plano
109
Round Rock
Transportation
106
Plano
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
100
Plano
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Plano has the same purchasing power as $69,495 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $80,941 in Plano.

Living in Plano vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Plano's housing index of 123 is higher Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $400,000 vs $413,000. The $13,000 difference in home prices means roughly $840 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Plano compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Plano and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Plano 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 99 in Plano and 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Plano vs $436 in Round Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Plano 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 $96,348 in Plano and $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,393 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 $2,248/month to housing in Plano vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Plano, median rent of $1,700/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 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Round Rock is 7.9% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Plano has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,495 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Plano's housing index is 123 with median homes at $400,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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